Curbishley Resigns with West Ham

James Deuce · 09-03-2008, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Alan Curbishley's turbulent spell as West Ham manager came to an abrupt end Wednesday when he quit, saying that the club had sold players against his wishes.

Curbishley endured a fraught time at the east London club after saving it from relegation in the 2006-07 season, becoming the first Premier League manager to leave his job this season after the Hammers sold defender George McCartney to Sunderland.

West Ham had seemingly prepared for Curbishley's departure on Wednesday by releasing a statement in which it justified the sale of McCartney and Anton Ferdinand during the transfer window.

But Curbishley responded with a televised interview in which he said McCartney had been sold to Sunderland despite him explicitly telling chief executive Scott Duxbury that he needed the fullback because of injuries to other players.

"It was the transfer of George McCartney which I was vehemently against," Curbishley told Sky Sports. "Not just because he is such a good player - I happen to think he's one of the best fullbacks in the Premier League - but the situation we found ourselves in with injuries to other players.

"We're quite stretched and it was that which got to me more than anything."

Curbishley added that he had met Duxbury on Sunday to discuss potential loan signings, but had been told that he could only bring players in if he sold some first.

"I said, 'OK,"' Curbishley said. "I was quite happy to stick with the squad."

Instead, West Ham sold McCartney to Sunderland, which had signed Ferdinand earlier in the week.

Curbishley enjoyed initial success at West Ham after arriving in December 2006 and, with financial backing from the club's Icelandic owners, brought in players including Lucas Neill, Matthew Upson, Scott Parker, Julian Faubert, Craig Bellamy, Fredrik Ljungberg and Kieron Dyer.

But a combination of injuries and poor form led to the club stagnating in 10th place the following year and Curbishley - whose teams at Charlton were similarly known for fading in the second half of the campaign - was jeered at the start of this season.

The Independent newspaper reported Wednesday that Curbishley clashed with Neill in the changing room following Saturday's 4-1 win over Blackburn, with the West Ham captain having told his manager that the players had just "kept you in a job."

Curbishley denied that the jeers, which persisted despite West Ham's best start to a Premier League season in nine years, had anything to do with his departure from what was his local club as a boy.

"The criticism that was coming, I took it in a dignified manner," Curbishley said. "I was taking it on the chin and trying my best to turn it around and I'm absolutely gutted I've had to come to this decision.

"I couldn't sit around and be silent.

Croatia manager Slaven Bilic, who like Curbishley is a former West Ham player, was immediately rated a 3-1 favorite to succeed Curbishley.

Bilic has built an attractive side - something that West Ham fans have lambasted Curbishley for failing to do - and led Croatia to a place at the European Championship at England's expense. However, Bilic may be tempted by the huge increase in salary that the Hammers could offer him.

"A shortlist of candidates is being drawn up and an announcement will be made in due course about the new West Ham United manager," West Ham said.

West Ham had already taken the unusual step of issuing a statement reacting to reports that the club was struggling for money and was attempting to reduce its wage bill by canceling Ljungberg's contract and selling Ferdinand and McCartney without replacing them.

"The transfers of Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney along with the release of Freddie Ljungberg were right for the club and decisions had to be taken based on our best long-term interests," West Ham said.

Premier League on FSC

"In the past week, agreement could not be reached with Ferdinand on a new contract to replace his original deal that had just two years left to run, while McCartney handed in a formal written transfer request after failing to resolve his personal reasons for wanting a move away."

Chairman and owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson left fans in no doubt that he, and not Curbishley, was in charge of the team.

"I can assure our loyal supporters that we are working hard to bring sustained success to West Ham United," Gudmundsson said. "Everyone, including the CEO and board, is committed to this common goal.

"We have a long-term strategy that takes into account all aspects of West Ham United's past, present and future and we will not be deterred."

West Ham is fifth in the Premier League with two wins and one loss.

Source: Fox Sports
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Meh, Don't really have much to say about it. Just thought I would post it.