• Premier League

Joe Cole linked as West Ham prepare to stick with Grant

Martin O'Neill has lost interest in the West Ham job © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Agent confirms Liverpool's interest in Van Bommel
  
• News: Babel prepared for Ajax switch in exchange for Suarez
  
• News: Gerrard will fight to keep Dalglish at Liverpool
  
• News: West Ham 'committed to retaining Avram Grant'
  
• News: West Ham prepare loan bid for Joe Cole
  
• News: West Ham expected to remain loyal to Avram Grant
  
ESPNsoccernet home

Martin O'Neill has performed a U-turn and rejected overtures from West Ham United to become their new manager - leaving Avram Grant to continue his job, possibly all the way until the end of the season.

West Ham are reaching the point of deciding whether to back or sack Grant - and it will now come as one of the biggest shocks of the season if the Hammers board actually stand by their man. However, ESPN reported on Monday that the Upton Park chiefs were set to stick with Grant, after the club's trusted aide Barry Silkman predicted the Israeli would remain at the helm "for a long time".

Speculation is mounting that O'Neill has had a change of heart and is no longer as strong in his conviction that he will take the West Ham job, even if the club sacked Grant. In fact, O'Neill has now indicated that he is no longer interested, and there have been frantic talks to get him back on track.

Feelings within the West Ham board room are mixed about axing Grant, and it is felt that it might make more sense to spend the compensation it would take to pay off Grant to put toward purchasing players to shore up one of the weakest squads in the Premier League.

Co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan built their reputation at Birmingham by sticking by their managers and would like to repeat that feat at Upton Park.

Meanwhile, West Ham have been linked with a move for Liverpool's Joe Cole, who enjoyed his spell under Grant whilst at Chelsea. The Hammers have also been chasing Hoffenheim goalscorer Demba Ba, as well as Tottenham's Robbie Keane and Cardiff City striker Jay Bothroyd.

Bothroyd looks destined for Newcastle, but a proposed £4 million move by Birmingham for Keane has collapsed, and the Hammers have the chance to revive their offer of a £1 million loan fee to Spurs for the striker as well as taking up his £65,000-a-week wages.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.