Photo by Xaume Olleros / Power Sport Images
Ex-West Ham striker Marlon Harewood believes the club can use the Europa League to kick on under a new manager next season.
The Hammers qualified for Europe for the first time in nine years after finishing top of the Barclays Premier League’s Fair Play table.
Harewood played for the club in the 2006/07 season against Palermo and admits he will be keeping an eye out for his old employers.
“Hopefully they’ll do really well,” he said.
“What with them getting a new manager and the club looking to kick on for next year, it’s going to be very interesting compared to just having the Premier League.”
The burly striker made 170 appearances for West Ham, scoring 56 goals. By his own admission, one of his highlights was the winner in the FA Cup semi-final against Middlesborough.
After announcing his retirement from professional football at the end of last season, Harewood represented the Citibank All Stars in the Hong Kong Soccer Sevens masters tournament last week.
And he admitted he was pleased to see his former team appearing in the main cup competition.
“It’s good to see them here and see they want to show the world what talent they’ve got at the club,” he said.
“It’s a great set-up and a good opportunity for those young players come up against teams they wouldn’t usually play.”
