Soccer:Chris Hughton has been installed as the 2-1 favourite for the vacant West Ham job after Steve McClaren ruled himself out of the running.
McClaren, who was sacked by German side Wolfsburg in February after just 21 games in charge, was seen as favourite for the role following Avram Grant's exit after the Hammers were relegated from the Premier League.
But the former England manager issued statement yesterday ruling himself out of the hunt for the vacant seat. Brighton manager Gus Poyet also ruled himself out.
“No chance. I can promise I will never apply for a job during my time at another club, especially at a club like Brighton where I’m so happy to be,” said Poyet. “It would be really silly on my part to apply for any other job. I promise you at the moment there is nothing, just rumours.”
Hughton is 2-1 with a number of bookmakers including Paddy Power. Behind Hughton the market is very shaky with several bookies having different second favourites, though Martin O’Neill has not been ruled out for a return to the game. The board offered the Northern Irishman the job in January only to be turned down.
Hughton, who guided Newcastle straight back up and to mid-table in the Premier League before his untimely axe at St James Park earlier this season, and Watford boss Malky Mackay are both former West Ham players, so are expected to be in the frame,
Sullivan admitted the appointment of former Chelsea and Portsmouth manager Grant following the dismissal of Gianfranco Zola was a “bad selection” by the
board - and it is not a mistake they intend to make again as the east London club face up to life back outside the elite clubs of English football.
“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,” Sullivan said. “I think we will definitely get an English manager, or a British manager.
“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.”
Sam Allardyce, sacked by Blackburn in December, has also been linked with the vacancy.
Neil Warnock and Paul Lambert already have top-flight football ahead with Queen’s Park Rangers and Norwich next season, so it is unlikely either would jump at the chance to oversee one more campaign battling to get out of the Championship - and at a club burdened by considerable debt.
Paulo di Canio achieved cult status during a four-year spell with the Irons from 1999 to 2003 and has a lounge named after him at Upton Park. The Italian’s appointment would certainly be a popular move with supporters.
However, Sullivan insists emotions cannot play any part in what is likely to be the club’s most important managerial decision for a decade.
“The problem with Paolo is, although the fans would love it, I am being realistic and he has no experience whatsoever being a manager,” Sullivan added. “If you look at first-season managers the failure rate is enormous.
“If he had done a season anywhere and was, say, top of Serie B in Italy with a team, I would take the chance. My heart would say Paolo and the fans would say Paolo - but with someone who is a complete novice as a manager, with no experience, you just can’t go with it.”
Sullivan maintains he and co-owner David Gold, both life-long fans, will inject more cash to keep the club afloat as they look to get back into the Premier League at the first time of asking.
There will, however, be no escaping a fire-sale at Upton Park, with England internationals Robert Green, Matthew Upson, Carlton Cole and Scott Parker, the FWA Footballer of the Year, all set to leave.
