© EuroFootball.com
Just a few days after dismissing Alan Pardew from the position of head coach, on Wednesday London appointed a new strategist - former "Charlton" manager Alan Curbishley.
Immediately after A. Pardew was fired on Monday, A. Curbishley was named as the most likely candidate, who led "Charlton" until the end of last season.
"West Ham", experiencing five defeats in the last six matches, is currently in 18th place in the English championship among twenty teams.
"I am extremely happy that Alan agreed to join us," said "Hammers" president Eggert Magnusson at a press conference. "He has a great reputation and truly loves this club. He did a great job leading 'Charlton', and I know how highly he is regarded in the football world."
After the World Cup, 49-year-old A. Curbishley was considered one of the main candidates to replace the resigned Sven-Goran Eriksson as the coach of the English national team, but instead Steve McClaren was chosen.
Curbishley began his career at "West Ham": in 1973 he joined the club's youth academy, and after two years he became a first team player and represented them for four years. Later, he played for "Birmingham", "Aston Villa", and "Charlton" clubs.
After ending his playing career, he became a coach and led "Charlton" for 15 years before finally leaving the team last summer, motivated by the desire to "take a break from football."
"I am very happy. It's an honor to be here," said A. Curbishley, becoming the eleventh "West Ham" manager in the 104-year history of the club.
The new coach's first test will be this weekend's English championship match against the tournament leaders "Man Utd" at home.
