It looked as though Kevin Keegan was going to be the first Premier League manager out of job this season, although Alan Curbishley has beaten him to it by a whisker. The now-former West Ham gaffer has had his resignation accepted by the board, bringing a 17-month rollercoaster to an end and leaving the east London club looking for a replacement.
The BBC report that the former Charlton manager was getting disillusioned with West Ham’s transfer policy, which is little surprise when you consider the dealings that were taking place above his head (now where have we heard that before?).
A statement on the club’s website read: “We can confirm we have accepted Alan’s resignation as it is in the best interests of both parties.”
The statement continued: “We wish Alan all the success in the future. A shortlist of candidates is being drawn up and an announcement will be made in due course about the new manager.”
West Ham also moved to justify the summer departures of Ferdinand and McCartney to Sunderland, stating that the sales were “right for the club” and “based on our best long-term interests”.
Curbs can clearly do without such decisions being taken out of his hands, perhaps we’ll see him pop up in the Championship at some stage. Who should now replace him as manager, and will they have their hands tied with regard to transfer activity as well? Slaven Bilic is the bookmaker’s favourite, although you can’t imagine the Croatia boss would want to manage a team unless there was money available to strengthen. Hammers fans, are you happy or sad to see the manager leave the club?