Oh dear. Oh dear oh dear oh dear. West Ham have announced that they have sacked Alan Pardew after
The Hammers have struggled all season and are currently in 18th place in the Premiership following Saturday’s 4-0 annihilation at the hands of Bolton Wanderers.
West Ham have often talked up their own cause with cries of the spirit of ’66 and ‘back where we belong’ sentiments… but with only three points separating West Ham and bottom club Watford, speculation has grown over Pardew’s position at Upton Park. The Boleyn Boys results have been shockingly bad and haven’t improved since Eggert ‘the yolk’s on you’ Magnusson took over the club. The Egg didn’t mess about did he?
Pardew took over as manager at West Ham in October 2003 and steered
them to promotion to the Premiership in 2005. Despite what the press have said (calls for him to be in the frame for the England job and the like), Pardew was quite unpopular with the Hammers’ home support, being accused of ‘negative tactics’ and generally being a bit rubbish. That said, Pardew did well with a young squad to get them to the FA Cup final and a Uefa Cup place.
This term it’s been an entirely different scenario with West Ham getting pasted off all and sundry. It doesn’t help that they’ve signed two very high-profile
players in the shape of Argentine internationals Carlos Tevez and Javier
Mascherano.
An official statement reads that "Alan has made an important contribution since joining in September 2003 but this season’s results have been disappointing. Chairman Eggert Magnusson and the board feel it is the right time to make a change in the club’s best interests."
The statement continued: "The search for a successor is now underway in order that a new manager can be in place ahead of the January transfer window. First-team coach Kevin Keen will take temporary charge of team affairs until a new appointment has been made. No further statements on this matter will be made by the club before that time."
Now that Pardew is picking up his P45, it will be
interesting to see who The Egg goes after. Sven Goran Eriksson anyone? Curbishley? Who do you lot fancy for the job? [Mof Gimmers]