After the announcement on Sunday the 24th of May that Sam Allardyce will not be offered a new contract as West Ham United manager many names have been linked with the vacant position such as Slaven Bilic, Michael Laudrup and Rafael Benítez. West Ham have demonstrated their ambition by promising significant transfer funds as well as a lucrative contract as they seek to lure a successor to Sam Allardyce to oversee the club’s final season at Upton Park. Co-owners, David Sullivan and David Gold, are prepared to offer a big salary to his successor and have sounded out a number of candidates.
Sullivan and Gold have made it clear there will be money to strengthen the squad before moving to the Olympic Stadium in the 2016-17 season, with up to five new arrivals anticipated, and are prepared to spend the next few weeks assessing who is available and right for the role.
West Ham’s chances of securing Carlo Ancelotti and Rafael Benítez, two of the most ambitious targets, appear to have diminished already with the Italian, whose departure from Real Madrid was confirmed on Monday the 25th of May, to undergo back surgery and the Spaniard who is highly expected to replace him at the Bernabéu. Another target Jürgen Klopp announced his intentions to take a sabbatical for at least six months.
West Ham have not entirely given up hope of convincing former Manchester United manager David Moyes to return to the Premier League, despite the former Everton manager having consistently expressed a desire to remain at Real Sociedad. He is unlikely to change his mind unless his situation changes. Former West Ham United player Slaven Bilic, who is leaving Besiktas, and the former Swansea manager Michael Laudrup, who is out of contract at the Qatari club Lekhwiya next month, have expressed an interest and should be considered.
West Ham will take their time to ensure they secure the best candidate possible. It has been confirmed this week that the club have claimed a place in next season’s Europa League via Uefa’s Fair Play spot, they could go into the qualifiers in the first week of July under caretaker stewardship. The academy manager, Terry Westley, is most likely to take up that role if required.
