Pardew gets the axe

Originally Posted by BBC.co.uk

Alan Pardew has been sacked as manager of West Ham. The Hammers are in 18th place in the Premiership following a run of three straight defeats that culminated in Saturday's 4-0 thrashing at Bolton.

"Alan has made an important contribution since joining in September 2003 but this season's results have been disappointing," said a statement.

"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 under way 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."

Former Charlton boss Alan Curbishley, who played for the Hammers from 1975 to 1979, has been installed as the early favourite to succeed Pardew.

Following a disappointing start to the season, the Hammers were briefly boosted when a consortium led by Magnusson completed a £85m takeover, with the team winning their next match against Sheffield United.

Magnusson initially vowed to keep faith with Pardew, promising funds for the January transfer window.

However, the club's subsequent slide into the bottom three forced the Icelander's hand and Pardew is the second managerial casualty of the Premiership season - following Iain Dowie's exit from Charlton.

After a shaky start, Pardew became a firm favourite at Upton Park as he steered them to promotion to the Premiership in 2005 and then cemented their position in the top flight by guiding them to the FA Cup final and a Uefa Cup place.

However, it has been an entirely different scenario this term, with the Hammers finding points hard to come by - despite the high-profile signings of Argentine internationals Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano.

Hammers legend Frank Lampard Snr believes the arrival of the Argentine duo at the end of August was central to the club's demise.

"It was only six months ago that everyone was saying how well Alan was doing," Lampard told BBC Five Live.

"It seems since he brought in Tevez and Mascherano it's all gone wrong.

"It's a shame that he's gone but football is like that. You get your chance and as soon as you start losing games, the pressure's on."

Originally Posted by The Phantom

Sven is deffinatly a dark horse. But I don't think he'll want to take over a side who's langushing at the bottom of the table.

Curbs is a good shout, but I reckon he'd want a 'bigger' club than West Ham. Although beggers can't be choosers.

My first thought when I saw thatr Pardew had been sacked, was Dowie. But i'm not sure if the new owners want someone who was struggling with another club only a few weeks ago. It's too soon.

Originally Posted by Tyler Durden

Who's Curbs ever going to get that are "bigger" than Wet Sham?

Originally Posted by The Phantom

Newcastle. Although I think Glenn Roeders' job is pretty safe at the moment.

Originally Posted by BBC.co.uk

West Ham have opened talks with Alan Curbishley about the vacant managerial position at Upton Park.
New Hammers chairman Eggert Magnusson has moved quickly to line up the former Charlton boss following the sacking of Alan Pardew on Monday.

Curbishley, who played for West Ham from 1975-79, has already revealed he would find the job hard to turn down.