Hammers axe falls on Pardew

[sportbilly]

West Ham United have sacked manager Alan Pardew following a poor run of results.

The former Reading boss leaves The Hammers after seeing his side stay in the Premiership's relegation places following Saturday's 4-0 thrashing at Bolton Wanderers.

New Hammers chairman Eggert Magnusson and financial benefactor Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson looked less than impressed by the defeat at The Reebok Stadium, which was West Ham's third straight loss since their £85 million takeover of the East London outfit late last month.

With big plans for the future of the club, the Icelandic pair have made the decision to part company with Pardew and he leaves Upton Park after a little more than three years in charge.

It ends a turbulent spell for Pardew as Hammers boss, having left Reading in acrimonious circumstances to succeed current Newcastle United manager Glenn Roeder at Upton Park in October 2003.

After missing out on Premiership promotion following the club's Championship play-off final defeat to Crystal Palace in the spring of 2004, Pardew led The Hammers to success in the same final the following season against Preston North End.

Under Pardew, West Ham consolidated their place in the Premiership last season, while earning a place in this season's Uefa Cup when they reached the FA Cup final back in May. Despite a penalty shoot-out defeat to Liverpool in Cardiff, West Ham entered the new season in great spirits, having pulled off a major transfer coup when they signed the Argentine duo of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano at the end of August.

The optimism was soon short-lived, as West Ham recorded just four wins and two draws from their opening 17 league games, and that was enough for Magnusson and Gudmundsson to part company with Pardew.

"West Ham United have today announced the departure from the club of Alan Pardew," read a statement on the club's official website.

"Alan has made an important contribution since joining as manager in September 2003, but this season's results have been disappointing and have left the club in a very difficult position.

"The chairman, Mr Eggert Magnusson, and the board have been concerned by the performances of recent weeks and feel that it is the right time to make a change in the best interests of the club.

"Mr Magnusson and the board would like to place on the record their thanks to Alan Pardew for his hard work and commitment and to wish him well for the future.

"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."

Keen's first game in charge could not be more difficult, as Premiership leaders Manchester United visit Upton Park on Sunday.

Meanwhile, former West Ham player and Charlton Athletic manager Alan Curbishley has become the early favourite to succeed Pardew at Upton Park.

[Davvers]

Going down hopefully.....think they are better than they are FACT!!!!!

[Chipbuttie]

I can think of a few teams like that