Only moments after the final whistle blew at St James’ Park, West Ham United released a statement that the club would not be renewing Sam Allardyce’s contract, and will be appointing a new manager in the summer.
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The Hammers started the 2014-15 campaign in fine form, as they made a run for the Europa League positions, but their dip in form in the second half of the season has resulted in joint-chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold opting to part company with Big Sam.
With the move to the Olympic Stadium to come in 2016, West Ham are entering the most exciting period in their history, and are eyeing a manager with a ‘new philosophy’ to lead them into their new ground.
A search for Allardyce’s replacement is underway, with the club having already complied a shortlist of those that they would like to succeed the 60-year-old, according to the Daily Mail.
David Sullivan and David Gold, in a statement on the club’s official website, said, “We would like to start by thanking Sam Allardyce for his valuable work since arriving at the Boleyn Ground four years ago,” they said.
“He leaves the Club in a considerably better state then when he arrived and, for that, the Board are truly grateful.
“However, we have made the decision not to renew his contract, so we now have the chance to appoint a new manager with a new philosophy to lead us into two of the most exciting years in our great Club’s history.
“Our target is to recruit a manager that will build a team capable of saying a fitting farewell to the Boleyn Ground next year and do justice to the outstanding surrounds we will call home from August 2016.
“We have already been impressed with the quality of candidates that have expressed an interest in the role and fully expect to appoint a manager with the credentials to take this Club on to new heights.
“From our point of view there isn’t a more exciting job in the Premier League at present.”
The Hammers ended this season in 12th place, and they will surely be aiming for a higher position in the 2015-16 campaign if they are to fill a 54,000 capacity stadium consistently.