Monday's closure of the transfer window might have put a temporary stop to player coming-and-goings, but it seems only to have kick-started managerial moves. Following yesterday's commotion at Newcastle, Alan Curbishley has resigned as West Ham manager over the club's transfer policy.
"I started my West Ham United career when I left school in 1974 and have remained a lifelong fan," said Curbishley today. "I have been incredibly proud to manage such a great club and my decision to resign has been very tough."
West Ham have appointed reserve team coach Kevin Keen, who played for the club for 10 years before returning to take on a coaching role in 2002, to take temporary charge of the first team. However, the Croatia manager and former West Ham player Slaven Bilic is favourite to succeed Curbishley.
Last week's sale of Anton Ferdinand to Sunderland angered Curbishley, but he was reportedly placated by assurances that there would be no further departures. When full-back George McCartney then followed Ferdinand to Sunderland, Curbishley's patience reached breaking point.
"The selection of players is critical to the job of the manager and I had an agreement with the club that I alone would determine the composition of the squad," Curbishley said. "However, the club continued to make significant player decisions without involving me. In the end such a breach of trust and confidence meant that I had no option but to leave. Nevertheless, I wish the club and the players every success in the future."
This summer signaled a change of policy at Upton Park as the club decided to trim the squad to cut costs. That not only prevented Curbishley from bringing in all the players he sought but, more frustratingly, meant he lost some of those he wanted to hold on to.
West Ham have won two of their first three league matches this season - their best start to a campaign for nine years - but Curbishley had been vilified by some fans for his perceived underachievement last season, when, despite suffering a savage spate of injuries, West Ham finished 10th.
