Even though he hasn’t played at all this season, Jonathan Spector was still able to sign a three year contract extension at West Ham. According to SI, he was promised a contract extension when he returned to full training, and they seem to have been good on their word. Spector is now back training with the first team and could make his debut for the season soon.
[SI]
The Chairman of Sheffield United has come out hitting over the Premierships stance regarding the Relegation debacle last year that saw West Ham stay up after escaping a point deduction over the “Breach of Transfer” regarding Argentinian Carlos Tevez.
Via BBC
While stating that he still didn’t understand why West Ham hadn’t been docked, Kevin McCabe said “Our relegation was in many ways down to the inadequacies and lack of proper governance at the Premier League.”
“They are under-managed. They hide behind setting up an independent panel to penalise a club that’s breached the rules and believe that alleviates their job to govern the game.
“We’ve got to accept the commerciality and business that’s attached to football now, but it should never overtake sport itself, and that’s where governance has got to be improved.”
image via DailyMail
With all the things going wrong at Upton Park this season, there might just be a little bit of good news about to drop as there has been intense talk of a new Kit Sponsorship deal about to be finalized.
Since the collapse of Travel Company XL last month (which in turn ended their kit deal with the Premiership Club), West Ham honchos have been pounding the pavement in search of a sponsor that could pony up some legitimate Pounds.
And while it’s already going to be a busy week for the Hammers with the appeal of the Tevez affair looming, the rumors of a 4 Million Pound a year for front of jersey sponsorship might just be the good news that Gianfranco Zola’s men have long needed as of late.
image via ClassicFootballShirts
It was just a week into September when West Ham United learned that kit sponsor XL Leisure Group had been placed into administration, terminating their deal the very next day.
Now things are getting even uglier for Gianfranco Zola’s men as Iceland’s Landsbanki - the second largest bank in Iceland and controlled by their Icelandic Chairman Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson - has been nationalized due to the world wide crunch.
Now the general belief is that the money will be drying up quickly around Upton Park as the hit in the pocket could be a third blow (don’t forget the ongoing lawsuits aimed at West Ham and the Carlos Tevez era) to the financial strength of the Premiership club.
Chelsea had at first refused Assistant Coach Steve Clarke’s tendering of a resignation to join up with Gianfranco Zola at Upton Park, but now it’s looking like both clubs have reached compensation as West Ham has sent 1 Million Pound over to Stamford Bridge for the highly rated Number 2.
“Clarkey has been an unbelievable servant for Chelsea for many years as a player and as a coach,” said Blue’s and England Midfielder Frank Lampard.
“He has been an important member of the back-room staff for what we’ve done over the last few years. But if he feels he wants to go and do something different - I know he has intentions to be a manager in his own right - you can only wish him all the best.”image via EuroSport
Despite being recently sacked by West Ham and out of work, Freddie Ljungberg enjoys a good time in NYC with a couple models…
Image via The Spoiler
UPDATE - Wow, this is surprising. Chelsea in ANOTHER power struggle, this time with Number 2 Steve Clarke and his tendering of a resignation to join up with new West Ham boss and former Chelsea player / coaching buddy / friend Gianfranco Zola.
And it’s looking like Chelsea aren’t too happy about it and have not only denied West Ham the ability to approach Clarke, but have refused to accept his resignation.
Damn, 20 years at the club and having been through the Gullit, Mourinho, Grant and Scolari (although new) eras, this is how it’s going to go down?
Italian legend and former Chelsea start Giofranco Zola has been formally introduced as the new boss at West Ham after signing a three year deal following Alan Curbishley’s resignation last week.
The 5′ 5″ 42 year old, who has been working with the Italian U-21 squad as an Assistant to Pierluigi Casiraghi for the past couple of seasons has represented the Azzuri at the highest level 35 times, scoring 10 times. “I’m delighted to be here. It’s a great honour to be involved in such an important job,” he said live on Sky Sports News. “I’ve promised I’d do my best for the club. It’s a club with tradition. I’m here to help to develop the talent and the team.
“I want to help the players individually and as a team, by passing on my experience and knowledge. I’ll do everything I can to succeed in this.”
“My philosophy is to play offensive football if I can because I trust it. We have to make it enjoyable for the players and then for the club and fans.
“Obviously we’ll have to be a balanced team, but the philosophy will be to play attacking football.”
Will Chelsea Number 2 Steve Clarke be on his way to West Ham to play at similar role at Upton Park?
image via SkySports
Having made mention of this a few days ago, it’s now looking even more likely that Gianfranco Zola is set to take over at West Ham. With Slaven Bilic seemingly out of the picture, it is looking like the former Chelsea ace and Italian maestro will be taking over for the Hammers. With another Englishmen stepping down and his job looking set to go to a foreigner, you gotta wonder what the future is like for English managers at the bigger clubs in England. Just sayin…
[Guardian]
