The search for West Ham’s next manager is beginning to gather pace as various targets are expected to announce their future in the next few days.
West Ham are understood to be keen on appointing a manager relatively quickly due to the fact the club will start competitive Europa League fixtures on July 2nd. Therefore, Forever West Ham have compiled the names linked with the job alongside their current managerial situation to see who is the front-runner for the West Ham vacancy.
Rafa Benitez has already left his managerial post at Napoli and is widely expected to take over at Real Madrid, meaning the likes of Jurgen Klopp and Unai Emery have been linked with the post. Germany legend Franz Beceknbauer told Sky Sport Deutschland that he expects Klopp to manage the Italian side:
“Next season Klopp will be training in the South of Italy, at Napoli.”
Well, that clears that up then, at least you’d think so. The Hammers have been tracking Klopp’s situation for a while now and have approached him. The Telegraph’s Jason Burt, who has been very accurate with his coverage of Allardyce departing and certain managerial targets, has stated that West Ham are still refusing to give up hope on appointing Klopp as their new manager. Although this certainly shows ambition from the club, Klopp is one of the most sought after managers in European football right now so the likelihood of him popping up in East London is still minimal.
This means that West Ham may have to turn to other managers. David Moyes is still a possibility as although he said he was happy in Spain, he has become frustrated with the board’s lack of ambition ahead of this summer’s transfer market. Although this could be the case, Moyes seems determined to build a project in Spain for at least another season so a return to the Premier League looks out of the question.
Marco Bielsa is another high-profile name being linked with the West Ham job. It is understood that the board remain split on the idea of bringing the eccentric Argentine to the Premier League. Sullivan is a fan but Gold remains more reserved on appointing a coach that can’t speak English.
Gold’s option is current Ajax manager Frank De Boer, who is rumoured to be another target despite the fact that he has rejected one approach from the club already. A second hopeful attempt will be made by the West Ham board to lure De Boer to the Premier League but it looks like the Dutchman will stick to his guns and reject the club once more.
According to Italian newspaper Gazetta Dello Sport, West Ham are talking to the advisors of Cesare Prandelli, the former Italy manager. He made his name at Fiorentina before becoming the Italy manger in 2010 but later left his post after a dismal first round exit in the 2014 World Cup. The Italian connection continues as Jason Burt (him again) has suggested that West Ham are keen on the current Italy manager Antonio Conte but it is believed that he wants to remain in charge of the national side ahead of Euro 2016.
Things aren’t getting any clearer are they?
Well, let’s try and fix that. Sevilla boss Unai Emery recently said that he would make his mind up on his future in “the next couple of days”. That was three days ago so either he’s a man that doesn’t stick to his word or he’s yet to announce where he’s going. Whatever the case, movement from Emery is expected soon as he has shown little enthusiasm about staying with a club he has led to Europa League glory twice in two seasons. The two concrete options for Emery, according to the press, are Napoli and West Ham. Apply the words of Mr Beckenbauer to the situation and it suddenly looks like Emery could be West Ham’s man, and what an appointment that would be. The Daily Mail believes that Emery has been impressed by West Ham’s ambition and their impending move to the Olympic Stadium so the Sevilla man is suddenly emerging as a solid favourite for the job.
If all the other names mentioned above become unavailable, there appears to be the ‘insurance options’ in the form of Slaven Bilic, Michael Laudrup and Roberto Di Matteo. It appears at this moment in time, West Ham are aiming high, and so they should be.
Is Emery the right man for West Ham? Who would be your choice as West Ham’s new manager? Let us know below
Supporters have had their hopes built high in the past that we are going to get this or that high profile player and we end with nothing. I hope our expectation of a high profile manager are not dashed and we end up with an also ran. If that is the case we would have been better keeping BFS.
Sam Sam bloody Sam, we were in free fall, anything is better than that, how can anybody say we have made a mistake, sam has gone 18 months to late
I think Hammers need to be a bit bolder than they have in getting what they want than in previous years, not just with players but with managers. Sam’s great if you’re Bolton Wanderers. He did what he was supposed to do for us but he has his obvious limitations, football wise, in going beyond that. He also disappointed very badly this year after a great first half, with too many late points dropped, which indicates a lack of will. If we want to progress we must move up the food chain and not be fearful about it. Even Slaven Bilic strikes me as a better bet than Sam.
There is only one man and that’s Emery Nobody else comes close Ask Ajax fans about De Boer and he’s hated more than we disliked BFS Need to match Napoli wage offer at least If not then Bielsa
West Ham will NOT get any “Bigger Name” than Sam Allardyce as manager. End of story.
I predict that we will end up “scraping the barrel” as name after name turns us down !
Of the list of managers mentioned, only Bilic may be left as an option.
Bigger name your on cloud nine!!
Forget Bielsa – he’ll have the players knackered by Christmas!
Interesting article. I am in agreement with Mr Gold that we should not appoint a non English speaking manager, especially with our season starting so quickly. I am pleased the board are aiming high with the likes of Klopp and Emery.
I think Bielsa may also be realistic but have a feeling we will end up with Bilic. I just hope the board are not playing games like usual when they a big name signing is imminent. Their big names are not always the same as supporters expectations!
Still, we all live in hope. #COYI!
I was at the UEL in Warsaw on Wednesday and impressed with what I saw in Emery, had the nous to change things during the game and has obviously moulded that Seviila side well.
I can imagine the press giving him a hard time however after a couple of defeats if his 3 at the back isn’t working. Although I can see Kouyate really processing the way the Polish midfielder has under him.
I can also see someone like Valencia processing well under his stewardship as well as Sakho as he reminds me a little of Gamerio
de Boer would be my choice or bilic would be good as he knows the prem well either way anyone less negative than sam will do for me
Ony one canditate for me though doesnt look likely. Garry Monk of Swansea, a gut feeling he would be a real Hammer Manager! Whats more he is ENGLISH.