While Slaven Bilic may not be returning to Upton Park as manager, there are plenty of other candidates in the frame to be Alan Curbishley’s successor. The former Charlton boss walked away earlier this week, claiming there had been a breach of trust between himself and the board. The latter therefore look likely to give their new boss a greater say in transfer dealings, if the below names are to be believed.
The Guardian reports that Bilic and Harry Redknapp have both confirmed they are not interested in taking the reigns at the Boleyn Ground, although another former Hammers legend could be heading over for an interview.
West Ham are seeking a manager who boasts “top-class football experience” and leadership qualities and, although it would help if candidates had Premier League experience, that is not considered essential. Roberto Donadoni, Roberto Mancini, Gianfranco Zola, Avram Grant, Gérard Houllier and John Collins are all in contention. The credentials of the former Upton Park manager Alan Pardew, now at Charlton, have been discussed, and the club’s former favourite Paolo di Canio has expressed an interest in taking up the reins, though his lack of coaching experience is likely to work against him. “We have made moves to talk to West Ham and advised them that Paolo wants to be considered,” said Di Canio’s agent, Phil Spencer. “He wants the opportunity to sit in front of the decision-makers at West Ham to tell them what he would do.”
West Ham fans, of the above names, who would you like to see appointed? While Paolo di Canio would be a popular choice with the fans and supply plenty of passion, surely it would be too much of a risk to appoint the inexperienced Italian as manager? Mancini could be a good pick, if indeed he was prepared to discuss the role, especially as he landed back-to-back Serie A titles with Inter.