The Big Debate

A question, which has been surrounding Upton Park since the shock sacking of former manager Glenn Roeder has been “who should be the new boss?” Although Trevor Brooking agreed to take over as caretaker manager for the second time in as many seasons he made it clear that he doesn’t want the job but is willing to be in control as long as it takes. The day Roeder was sacked the first question was who would be the new West Ham manager. QPR manager and ex-West Ham striker Iain Dowie was the first man in most peoples mind and was immediately the favourite to claim the job. He said: “I would love the job, West Ham are a fantastic club and one I would be more than grateful to take control of”.

After a couple of days of hype, for some inexplicable reason Dowie’s name was scratched of the shortlist and up stepped Trevor Brooking. Already agreed to take over the post as Wets Ham United caretaker manager the subject of the full-time managerial post moved to West Ham legend Trevor Brooking. Not only the fans were requesting him but the West Ham players too. Although he made it clear he didn’t want the job Rufus Brevett stated “I spoke to him in a meeting when he first took charge and I thought he should take it basically”.

After Brooking had made it obvious he didn’t want the job more managers began to come on the scene as the boss. However the players and fans would not give in trying to persuade Brooking to take the job “Trevor Brookings claret and blue army began to roar around West Ham games (especially the ties at Upton Park) and West Ham captain Christian Daily said “There is no doubt about it, to be honest, we would like Trevor to take it- everybody at the club feels that.”

As more managers began to appear on the West Ham shortlist George Graham made his input to the job by saying “I would love the West Ham job but the I do not believe West Ham boards wish to pay out for me”. Names like Paul Hart, Steve Coppell and Bryan Robson were mentioned but then the strongest, most likely candidate for the job so far emerged. Reading’s manager Alan Pardew. Once the interest in him was made known he stated that he was very much interested.

Days later the biggest news concerning the West Ham manager post occurred. Alan Pardew had resigned from Reading after not being able to make talks with West Ham United football club and very ironically a few days before West Hams next fixture. Against Reading!

So far no official statement has been made as to who will take over from Glenn Roeder as West Ham manager but it looks very likely that it could be Alan Pardew as he goes into court about the situation later this week.

By Martin Speller

*more news to follow.