Source: Daily_Mail
Kevin Keen: West Ham deserve family traditions and I'm the man to bring them back
Share Consider me: Kevin Keen wants to bring the glory days back to Upton Park[LNB]West Ham's caretaker manager Kevin Keen wants to be considered a serious contender to be appointed into the job on a full-time basis.[LNB] Keen believes whoever is appointed by owners David Gold and David Sullivan must have a strong connection with the Hammers in bid to rebuild the lost soul of the relegated club. [LNB]There are a number of potential candidates with a West Ham history, including former defenders Slaven Bilic and Chris Hughton, while Julian Dicks has told Gold he too wants the job. [LNB]Keen has laid out his own blueprint for the future, calling for a return to the traditional West Ham way after a turbulent few years at Upton Park. [LNB]The former Hammers midfielder will name a side to face Sunderland tomorrow that is packed with home-grown talent - and he hopes Gold and Sullivan buy into that vision. [LNB]'For me, I think the next West Ham manager should have a connection and a history with the football club,' said Keen.[LNB]'I want us to get back to the family traditions of this football club, a way of playing that promotes imagination, creativity but also has that edge of people wanting to playfor the club and die for the club. [LNB] Glory days: Keen in action against Manchester United[LNB]'Over the last few years with Avram (Grant) and Gianfranco (Zola), the club slightly went a different way and we had a different way of playing and a different ethos. [LNB]'I am West Ham through and through. I had nine years as a player and this is my ninth season back coaching.[LNB]'If the opportunity was given to me it would be a great honour and I'd love to be able to do it.[LNB]'If you had said to me three or four weeks ago that I was an obvious candidate, I think people would have laughed at you. [LNB]'But after the way I have conducted myself over the last week, hopefully people have said: "Actually, he knows what he is doing and what he is talking about, he loves the football club, he has got a vision of the future. Yes, he is a candidate".' [LNB] Different ethos: Zola (left) and Grant (right) were not used to the demands of the East London club's fans[LNB] Keen has made clear his desire for the job to West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady, while the search for a new manager is being led by Sullivan. [LNB]Gold said he and Sullivan were anxious to make an appointment as soon as possible but would not be rushed for fear of making another mistake. [LNB]'David Sullivan is burning the midnight oil. We must get this right. No stone is being left unturned in our pursuit of the best man,' said Gold. [LNB]'You want to do this as fast as possible because the quicker you can do it, the quicker you can go to work. You want the manager to be joining you in the decision-making - who stays, who goes, who you bring in. [LNB]'But we don't want to do it so quickly that we make a mistake. I'd rather take a bit longer and get the right man, even if that means he has a harder job because he has a shorter time to get things.'[LNB] Get me Parker! West Ham midfielder is the top target for Spurs boss RedknappEXCLUSIVE: West Ham caretaker boss Kevin gives the nod to starlet TombidesWEST HAM v Sunderland: Home-grown Hammers bid farewell to the Premier LeagueAll the latest West ham United FC news, features and opinion[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Karren Brady, Chris Hughton, David Gold, David Sullivan
