Benitez Nearly Blowing Bubbles - Sullivan

David Sullivan has revealed that Rafael Benítez had agreed a deal to become West Ham United’s manager in the summer before Real Madrid stepped in at the 11th hour.

West Ham’s co-chairman said he approached several high-profile managers as a replacement for Sam Allardyce before capturing Slaven Bilic, but Benítez was the closest to joining.

“We were two hours from getting Benítez and then Real came in. We had agreed a contract and everything,” Sullivan said. 

“He is a top manager whatever anybody says and I think he’d have done a wonderful job for us. We tried [Jürgen] Klopp as well but he wouldn’t come because he said he wanted a break. But I’m glad with the manager we have got.”

West Ham United will make Manuel Lanzini’s season-long loan from Al Jazira Club in the United Arab Emirates a permanent deal two months earlier than planned, said Sullivan. The Argentinian midfielder, who is currently sidelined with a thigh injury, has scored four times in his 12 Premier League appearances for West Ham this season.

“The contract we have is 100% watertight. We have until April to make it permanent but we’ll probably do it before the due date,” said Sullivan. “He is a fantastic player and a fantastic man. By February or March, he will be a permanent West Ham player.

“He could be a top, top, top player. He’s already sensational and he could be as good as any player in the world.”

Sullivan also heaped praise on the injured Dimitri Payet, who has gained many admirers for some eye-catching performances for West Ham, having been directly involved in nine goals in his 12 league appearances. 

“Payet is the signing of the season. He’s the best player I’ve signed in 25 years. He’s a £30m player,” Sullivan said of the 28-year-old signed for an undisclosed eight-figure fee from Marseille.

“He’s a supreme footballer. He makes every player in our side play better. On his day, he’s world class, he’s unstoppable.”

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Chelsea Hammered in East End

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Rafael Benitez blamed Chelsea's lack of killer instinct for his first defeat as manager after a 3-1 reverse at West Ham.

Juan Mata's 13th-minute goal gave the visitors a 1-0 half-time lead at the Boleyn which barely did justice to their dominance.

But Mata was among the culprits as missed chances kept West Ham in it and, after Carlton Cole had headed a first which stood despite Chelsea's calls for a foul, the home side went on to win 3-1.

The result does little for Benitez's chances of winning over hostile supporters, and he said: "When you are in control you have to take your chances and finish the game.

"In the first half we could have scored two or three goals. In the second half they got a first goal that was a little bit controversial and we couldn't manage."

The Spaniard refused to point the finger at compatriot Fernando Torres, who failed to make the most of a couple of half-chances and should have scored from six yards with Chelsea trailing 3-1.

"I thought the team had chances, not just Fernando," he said.

Benitez has now overseen two goalless draws and a defeat in his three games, and the coming week brings a key European date with Denmark's Nordsjaelland.

Asked what is required in the coming days, he said: "To win. It's simple. We have to keep working hard."

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John Bond 1932 - 2012

Former Norwich and Manchester City manager John Bond has died at the age of 79.

During three years in charge at Maine Road, Bond took City to the 1981 FA Cup final, where they lost to Tottenham.

He also took Norwich to Wembley for the 1975 League Cup final but missed out on the trophy as Aston Villa beat his Canaries 1-0.

"John was a real character with a great sense of humour and presence. He will be sadly missed," said Howard Wilkinson, chairman of the League Managers' Association.

It was during his time at West Ham that Bond formed his management ethos.

He would join future managers Malcolm Allison, Frank O'Farrell and Dave Sexton to discuss ideas about how to win games.

After the right-back finished his career with a two-year stint at Torquay, he took his first steps into management at Bournemouth.

In November 1973 he took charge at Norwich and recovered from relegation during his first season in charge to win promotion back to the top flight a year later.

He resigned in 1980, replacing Malcolm Allison at Manchester City, and took the club to the FA Cup final during his first campaign as manager.

Bond went on to manage Burnley, Swansea, Birmingham and Shrewsbury without repeating his earlier success.

His last post as a manager was a short spell at Northern Premier League side Witton Albion in 1998.

Ken Brown, his assistant at Bournemouth and Norwich, says Bond was passionate about being a manager.

"He used to think it was his fault if the game didn't go right," he told BBC Radio Norfolk."It wouldn't be the players' fault. I couldn't quite get to grips with that but when I became manager I got the same feelings - you do have to take responsibility."

Paul Power, Manchester City's captain in the 1981 FA Cup final, told BBC North West Tonight: "He had a big personality.

"When he spoke, you listened. He wouldn't suffer fools but he wasn't a bully.

"I've played under managers that have ruled the dressing room in a bullying manner, but he wasn't like that.

"If he felt he needed a firm word with you, he'd do it on a one-to-one basis and wouldn't belittle people in front of each other.

"He'll definitely be a part of Manchester City's history, and he's had a big part in my life as well.

"He supported me when I was captain of Manchester City and supported what we did. He was good for the club at that stage."

Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker said on Twitter: "One of the great characters of football, both as a manager and in the TV studio."

Factfile

Made 444 appearances as a player for West Ham United between 1950-1966

Finished playing career at Torquay United

Managed Bournemouth, Norwich City, Manchester City, Burnley, Swansea City, Birmingham City, Shrewsbury Town and Witton Albion

As a player, was a member of the West Ham side that won the 1957-58 Second Division title and the 1964 FA Cup

Managed Norwich City to the 1975 League Cup final and Manchester City to the 1981 FA Cup final

He spent 16 years as a player at West Ham, making 444 appearances and winning the FA Cup in 1964.

#RIP

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Dylan Tombides Talks About Cancer

Rising Aussie football star Dylan Tombides opens up over his 10-month battle with cancer, saying he can't wait to play football again.

The 18-year-old was diagnosed with testicular cancer during last year's U17 World Cup in Mexico. Surgeries and a gruelling course of chemotherapy followed, but Tombides is now focusing on his future.

He's not completely out of the woods yet. He has to have another nine monthly blood tests before getting the all clear, but football is again a top priority and he is now back in training, setting his sights on winning a squad place at his English club, newly-promoted Barclays Premier League outfit West Ham United.

Speaking to The Daily Mail, Tombides reveals he went through some tough times dealing with the chemotherapy and praised his family for their unwavering support.

"There were times when I would just look at Mum and tell her, “I don’t want the chemo any more, I will live with the cancer”. That’s how I felt at times," he said.

"It took five to 10 days to bounce back from each chemo blast and there is no trick to dealing with it.

"My team-mates wanted to visit me but I told them not to because I couldn’t stay awake for longer than 15 minutes and couldn’t always remember what was happening."

West Ham Return to Premier

Ricardo Vaz Te's dramatic late strike earned West Ham a 2-1 win over Blackpool at Wembley - and an immediate return to the Premier League.

The Portuguese winger, a bargain £500,000 January signing from Barnsley, earned the Hammers an estimated £90million windfall with the goal which sank Blackpool.

Boss Sam Allardyce vowed to take the club back to what he calls the Promised Land at the first attempt following last season's relegation, and he was as good as his word as his side saw off Ian Holloway's play-off specialists.

Carlton Cole had given them the lead in the first half, but Thomas Ince showed he has inherited his dad Paul's uncanny knack of irritating West Ham's fans when he equalised just after the break.

However, after an end-to-end second half it was Blackpool, who were unbeaten in their previous 11 play-off matches, who cracked as Vaz Te rifled in the winner four minutes from time.

They may have been short-priced favourites having put eight goals past Blackpool in their league meetings this season, but West Ham looked extremely twitchy in the opening stages.

After just three minutes Matt Taylor's attempt to chest the ball back to Robert Green fell short and Stephen Dobbie sneaked in behind the left-back.

Fortunately for Taylor, the angle was tight and Dobbie's shot was kept out by a combination of Green and the near post.

Matt Phillips then twice squandered glorious opportunities to put the Seasiders ahead.

The winger latched onto a ball over the top only to shoot weakly at Green, and passed up an even better chance moments later when Guy Demel slipped, allowing him time to curl a shot narrowly wide.

West Ham eventually settled into the game and a slick move between Cole, Gary O'Neil and Vaz Te ended with the latter hitting the side-netting.

Cole then headed O'Neil's cross over before Jack Collison curled a shot just too high.

And the goal West Ham had been threatening arrived in the 33rd minute when Taylor robbed Ince and charged down the left before sending a cross towards Cole.

The striker took the ball in his stride, held off the challenge of Seasiders defender Ian Evatt and swept the ball past Matt Gilks and into the net.

Vaz Te could have doubled the lead before half-time but he dragged his shot wide.

Instead, two minutes after the restart Blackpool hit the Hammers with a sucker-punch.

Cole gave the ball away near the halfway line and Matt Phillips raced forward before swinging in a diagonal cross over the heads of the West Ham defence and right to the feet of Ince.

The winger, whose every touch was jeered by the Hammers fans who never forgave Ince senior for the manner in which he left the club some 23 years ago, still had plenty to do.

But he found a superb finish his dad would have been proud of, firing the ball across Green and inside the far post.

With West Ham reeling, Blackpool almost went ahead moments later when Kevin Phillips played in Alex Baptiste, who dinked the ball over Green only for Taylor to clear the danger on the line.

Back came West Ham and Collison poked Taylor's low cross wide before Gilks made a fine save low down to deny Cole, while at the other end Dobbie missed his kick in front of goal and also forced a fingertip save from Green.

The Hammers were inches away from taking the lead again when substitute George McCartney overlapped down the left and crossed for Nolan, whose first-time volley was tipped onto the crossbar by Gilks.

But the winner arrived four minutes from time in the most dramatic of fashion.

Nolan crossed from the left and Cole's attempt was blocked by Gilks but the ball fell kindly for Vaz Te, who crashed it over the grounded Gilks and into the roof of the net.

Sam Hails His Cardiff Hammers

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce hailed his side's performance after they claimed a 2-0 win over Cardiff City in their Championship play-off semi-final first leg.

The Hammers travelled to South Wales and came away with a huge victory courtesy of two first-half strikes from Jack Collison.

And Allardyce was full of plaudits for his men after their performance against Cardiff.

"We were excellent, we asked the lads to control their emotions on a big night like this, not to cause a problem for ourselves and I thought they handled the pressure excellently and played very well indeed," he told Sky Sports.

"Tactically we did everything right and nullified Cardiff to minimal chances on their own ground and getting forward was outstanding and chances were created, scored and a lot missed.

"It has been a great night for us and it is only 90 minutes of a two-legged affair and anything could still happen, the onus is on us to see it through and there is no pressure on Cardiff and mentally we have to be right for it."

Allardyce felt his players stood up to their task mentally as well as physically, adding: "It is a fantastic night and one where the players have handled the pressure extremely well and performed very well."

The Hammers boss insists that he came into the game full of confidence and expecting a win.

"On the basis of how well we have been playing I would have been disappointed if we had not played like we did tonight and carried on as we have been playing away from home," he said,

"The clean sheet and two goals is everything we have been looking for and it is a great contribution from all the players.

"We knew two-nil down they would put us under some pressure, but we are really pleased and not getting too carried away."

Allardyce insists that West Ham's indifferent home form is not an issue, saying: "Only in terms of draws, we have only lost four and are now in a position if we don't lose we go through but we want to win and get that level of performance again and try and win the game.

"But the bottom line is to make sure we are through into the final after 90 minutes."

OSM news service

Allardyce Confirmed at West Ham United

Sam Allardyce

West Ham United have confirmed former Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce as their new manager, after lengthy discussions with the club's co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan.

Allardyce will be presented officially as boss on Wednesday.

"It is an honour to be the new manager of West Ham United,'' he told the West Ham website. ''It is a fantastic club with a great tradition and loyal supporters who deserve to be in the Premier League. I can't wait to begin pre-season training as I am determined to get this club back where it belongs.

"I wouldn't have taken this job if I didn't think we could bounce straight back into the Premier League. More than that, I wouldn't have contemplated the job if I didn't think there was the opportunity to build something substantial at West Ham."

The Hammers sacked Avram Grant last month at the minute relegation to the Championship was confirmed with a game to spare, and a number of names, such as Dave Jones, Neil Warnock and Malky Mackay had all been touted. However, upon his appointment, Allardyce claimed he was excited to take the challenge.

"There is a core of very talented young players at the club who've come up through the youth system, have West Ham in their blood and who I know I can build a successful team around,'' he said. "That's what I'm looking forward to, managing a club that wins more games than it loses and competing at the top of the table. We need to create a winning mentality and give the fans a team they can be proud to watch."

"I know there will be West Ham fans asking whether I'm going to abandon the style of play that's been the club's heritage over the years. All I'll say is it will be a tale of home and away. At Upton Park we'll attempt to play the kind of passing game the fans want. We will aim to continue in the same way on our travels but we'll also be tough, hard to beat and utterly resilient."

Avram Grant Sacked by Sullivan and Gold

David Sullivan and David Gold 

Avram Grant was sacked as West Ham United manager on Sunday in the aftermath of the club's relegation from the Premier League, the club announced.

"The club can confirm that Avram Grant is no longer the manager of West Ham United," said a statement released on the club website.

"First-team coach Kevin Keen will take charge of the team for the final home match of the season against Sunderland on May 22."

The club's owners David Gold and David Sullivan, together with vice-chairwoman Karren Brady, acted after watching West Ham relegated as Grant's team squandered a two-goal lead in their 3-2 defeat at Wigan.

With only one league game to play, West Ham - who sit bottom of the table and six points from safety - are condemned to play in English football's second tier for the first time since 2006.

They had led through two goals from Demba Ba, but Charles N'Zogbia led Wigan's fightback and scored twice including a 90th minute winner after a mistake from Hammers goalkeeper Robert Green.

Gold, Sullivan and Brady were at the DW Stadium and called Grant into a meeting less than an hour after the final whistle to announce that the Israeli would be sacked.The financial cost of relegation will be huge for West Ham, who already reportedly have the eighth highest wage bill in the Premier League.

Top-flight football is worth around £90 million a season in revenue and the likes of England internationals Green, Scott Parker, Carlton Cole and Matthew Upson are all likely to be sold to make up some of the short-fall.

Grant's sacking marks the end of another depressing league campaign for the former Chelsea boss, who had taken charge at Upton Park last year after leaving Portsmouth in the aftermath of their relegation from the Premier League. But Grant, who was handed a four-year contract to replace Gianfranco Zola, endured a miserable season from start to finish and his relationship with his employers quickly became strained as West Ham struggled to climb away from the relegation zone.

Although he led the Hammers to the League Cup semi-finals and the FA Cup quarter-finals, Grant won just seven of his 37 Premier League matches this season.