Source: Daily_Mail
Martin O'Neill heads shortlist for West Ham job
ShareWest Ham have drawn up a short-list of five managers they believe can lead them back into the Barclays Premier League.[LNB]Martin O'Neill remains the preferred choice, but Sportsmail can reveal that Norwich City's Paul Lambert, Cardiff's Dave Jones and out-of-work bosses Sam Allardyce and Steve McClaren are also being considered.[LNB]Even though O'Neill rejected their advances in the bungled attempt to replace Avram Grant in January, David Gold and fellow co-owner David Sullivan remain convinced that he is the best option. [LNB]But the former Aston Villa and Celtic manager is sure to be alarmed by the part they have played in West Ham's demise.[LNB] Preferred choice: West Ham's owners want Martin O'Neill (above) to replace Avram Grant as manager[LNB]The reasons Sullivan gave for the failure of club directors to attend the recent match at Manchester City - he said he was sick of watching the team's poor away form - was also seen as a PR own goal.[LNB]In West Ham's favour is the fact that O'Neill's continuing dispute with Villa over his departure last August should soon be resolved. A Premier League managers' arbitration panel is due to hear the case this week.[LNB]Asked what the job requirements are for the new man, Sullivan said: 'A winner. We want a new manager that has a proven record of success.[LNB]'We will appoint a manager that will achieve our aims. He will get the best out of the squad and foster a strong team spirit.'[LNB]Former England manager McClaren is also considered a serious contender, but he distanced himself from the job on Monday night.[LNB] Unemployed: Both Steve McClaren (left) and Sam Allardyce (right) are out of work[LNB]'It is very flattering to be linked with a club of West Ham's size and historic stature, also one that has tremendous fans,' McClaren told Sky Sports. 'However, at this moment in time I do not wish to be considered for the position.'[LNB]Meanwhile, Sullivan ruled out appointing fans favourite Paolo Di Canio despite mounting speculation.[LNB]He said: 'The problem with Paolo is, although the fans would love it, I'm being realistic and he has no experience whatsoever being a manager.[LNB]'If you look at first-season managers the failure rate is enormous. If he'd done a season anywhere and was, say, top of Serie B in Italy with a team, I'd take the chance.[LNB]'My heart would say Paolo and the fans would say Paolo. But with someone who's a complete novice as a manager, with no experience, you just can't go with it.'[LNB]Sullivan confirmed that West Ham were looking to appoint a British manager to succeed Israeli Grant, while also revealing that he hoped the new man would be in place within a fortnight.[LNB]He said: 'I think we will definitely get an English manager, or a British manager.[LNB] Ruled out: David Sullivan says West Ham will not make a move for Paolo Di Canio[LNB]'We do need someone who understands the culture and if you get someone with a knowledge of the East End that's so much better.[LNB]'We will wait to see who applies and wait to see what happens generally, but it will be resolved within two weeks, I should think.'[LNB]Kevin Keen will take temporary charge of the team against Sunderland on Sunday, but Gold said the club would appoint a replacement for Grant as soon as possible.[LNB]Co-owner David Gold is adamant the next manager should have the appropriate credentials to lead the team back into the Premier League, aware of how costly the wrong appointment could prove.[LNB]He said: 'The sooner the better because we have a lot of work to do - an enormous amount of work - but we mustn't be rushed. This will be a very, very important appointment.'[LNB]Gold regrets more money was not spent on players during the January transfer window.At the end of January he was content with the look of Grant's squad, but now wishes he and Sullivan had been more extravagant.[LNB] Down and out: Avram Grant (right) was sacked after defeat at Wigan[LNB]'It's very difficult to say what you'd do looking back. What we did do clearly didn't work, so with hindsight you'd change things,' Gold said.[LNB]'We'd have brought in players that were less injury prone and possibly spent more money on players in January.[LNB]'But after you've done your business (transfers) that's it.[LNB]'The window closes and you have to live with what you've got and I honestly though it was enough.[LNB]'At Christmas we brought in a number of players, internationals, and real top-class, very high-quality players.[LNB]'I remember speaking to Scott Parker and he said we'd climb the table.[LNB] Looking for a 'winner': Davids Gold (left) and Sullivan (right) talk at Wigan[LNB]'Everyone was confident we would do that and for a while just after Christmas we had some fantastic performances.[LNB]'We were having a good run in the cup and it looked like we'd be looking at Europe rather than looking at relegation.'[LNB]Gold recognises the pain relegation has brought, but insists the club must shake that off to prepare for the challenge of securing an immediate return to the Premier League.[LNB]'Our fans are all hurting and feeling sorry for ourselves now and so am I,' Gold said.[LNB]'We're entitled to grieve and that can go on for a couple of days or maybe a couple of weeks, but sooner or later we have to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and start talking about promotion.'[LNB] West Ham go down fighting: Gala dinner erupts in brawl after Ba's autograph snubMartin Samuel: Avram Grant was hopeless but buck has to stop with Gold and SullivanFernandes ready to revive West Ham interest as experts sound debt warningAll the latest West Ham news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: David Gold, Paul Lambert, Sam Allardyce, Steve McClaren, David Sullivan Places: Cardiff, United Kingdom, Italy, Europe
