• Premier League

Hammers compile four-man shortlist

Harry Harris, Soccernet Correspondent
May 17, 2010
Sam Allardyce is West Ham's preferred repalcement for Gianfranco Zola © Getty Images
Enlarge

West Ham are planning to approach Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce to replace ousted manager Gianfranco Zola at Upton Park and early indications suggest that he will accept the position if it is offered.

Having tried and failed to persuade Mark Hughes, Slaven Bilic and Steve McClaren to consider the job the club have revised their short list.

There is a new four-man list, which can be confirmed by Soccernet, of Allardyce, Cardiff City boss Dave Jones, Ian Holloway of Blackpool and Portmsouth's Avram Grant.

Grant remains one of the favourites, and an approach to FA Cup final losers Portsmouth can be expected within the next 48 hours.

Co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold made Hughes their first choice back in January when they first took over. But Hughes and his entourage wanted big wages, and he is also thought to be destined for a far bigger club.

Bilic could have been prised from Croatia to return to his former club, but he wanted a massive transfer budget, well out of the Hammers' reach with their current £95 million debt.

McClaren has already been named as the new boss of German club Wolfsburg after winning the Dutch title with Twente.

Allardyce has worked on a shoestring at both Bolton and Blackburn and this has now attracted the Hammers. In fact all the managers on the new short list have been adept at living within their means.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices