2-0 down after 10 minutes at Spurs...his time is surely up? This is from today's Observer...
Curbishley faces axe as alarm grows over hammerings
Jamie Jackson
Sunday March 9, 2008
The Observer
West Ham are seeking to replace Alan Curbishley following recent disappointing results, according to a highly placed source at the club. Consecutive 4-0 defeats to Chelsea and Liverpool have reignited disquiet over his man-management style and player recruitment. 'Curbishley may get until the end of the season, but other candidates are being considered. And he is aware of his situation.'
During the midweek rout suffered at Anfield, Curbishley had to listen to the West Ham fans compare their team's style to that of the previous club he managed, Charlton. But a spokesperson at Upton Park strongly denied that his position is under threat. 'There was a board meeting in the week and at no point was Alan Curbishley's future discussed.' The club also point to Curbishley's bad luck with injuries and the recent appointment of technical director Gianluca Nani, in which Curbishley was involved, as evidence of his job security.
But recent comments have added to the impression that Curbishley may not be able to take West Ham forward towards the Champions League football that is the ambition of club owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson. The defeat to Chelsea was followed by his statement that the 'only difference between the teams was the goals'. Curbishley's take on West Ham's current league position of 10th - 'Whether we win or lose we won't' move up or down' - is thought to have been lacking in inspiration.
Last season, Curbishley and then chairman Eggert Magnusson used the January transfer window to recruit heavily in a bid to avoid relegation. But players including Matthew Upson and Lucas Neill were offered lucrative contracts that caused alarm at the club. When the policy continued - Mark Viduka, who was 32 in October, refused an offer of four times his salary to leave Middlesbrough, while Freddie Ljungberg signed a four-year, £80,000-a-week deal - into the summer, it led to Magnusson leaving the club.
Curbishley has cut a distant figure at times, according to sources at the club, often retreating to his office. When Upson arrived to complete his transfer from Birmingham City, his new manager is understood to been unimpressed with his clothes and facial hair. Having informed the stunned central defender this, Upson's agent reminded Curbishley that they had travelled down at very short notice. While not confirming or denying this exchange, the club point out that Upson has gone on to become one of the better performers this season, and reclaimed his place in the England squad.
Curbishley faces axe as alarm grows over hammerings
Jamie Jackson
Sunday March 9, 2008
The Observer
West Ham are seeking to replace Alan Curbishley following recent disappointing results, according to a highly placed source at the club. Consecutive 4-0 defeats to Chelsea and Liverpool have reignited disquiet over his man-management style and player recruitment. 'Curbishley may get until the end of the season, but other candidates are being considered. And he is aware of his situation.'
During the midweek rout suffered at Anfield, Curbishley had to listen to the West Ham fans compare their team's style to that of the previous club he managed, Charlton. But a spokesperson at Upton Park strongly denied that his position is under threat. 'There was a board meeting in the week and at no point was Alan Curbishley's future discussed.' The club also point to Curbishley's bad luck with injuries and the recent appointment of technical director Gianluca Nani, in which Curbishley was involved, as evidence of his job security.
But recent comments have added to the impression that Curbishley may not be able to take West Ham forward towards the Champions League football that is the ambition of club owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson. The defeat to Chelsea was followed by his statement that the 'only difference between the teams was the goals'. Curbishley's take on West Ham's current league position of 10th - 'Whether we win or lose we won't' move up or down' - is thought to have been lacking in inspiration.
Last season, Curbishley and then chairman Eggert Magnusson used the January transfer window to recruit heavily in a bid to avoid relegation. But players including Matthew Upson and Lucas Neill were offered lucrative contracts that caused alarm at the club. When the policy continued - Mark Viduka, who was 32 in October, refused an offer of four times his salary to leave Middlesbrough, while Freddie Ljungberg signed a four-year, £80,000-a-week deal - into the summer, it led to Magnusson leaving the club.
Curbishley has cut a distant figure at times, according to sources at the club, often retreating to his office. When Upson arrived to complete his transfer from Birmingham City, his new manager is understood to been unimpressed with his clothes and facial hair. Having informed the stunned central defender this, Upson's agent reminded Curbishley that they had travelled down at very short notice. While not confirming or denying this exchange, the club point out that Upson has gone on to become one of the better performers this season, and reclaimed his place in the England squad.
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