West Ham Sack Pardew

Alan Pardew has been sacked as manager of West Ham. The club issued the following statement today,

"Alan has made an important contribution since joining in September 2003 but this season's results have been disappointing. Chairman Eggert Magnusson and the board feel it is the right time to make a change in the club's best interests.

The search for a successor is now under way 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."

Alan Curbishley is the bookies' early favourite to replace Pardew. However Magnusson, previously head of the Icelandic FA, has many contacts in European football so a non-British manager could be more likely.