Alan Curbishley looks set to be unveiled as West Ham's new manager this afternoon after the club confirmed a statement will be made at 3pm, followed by a press conference at Upton Park.

Curbishley, who began his playing career with the Hammers, again met club officials this morning following discussions with new chairman Eggert Magnusson yesterday.

Icelander Magnusson appears to have acted quickly following Monday's sacking of Alan Pardew which came on the back of a run of poor results which have left the east London club in the bottom three of the Barclays Premiership.

Curbishley has been a free agent since stepping down as Charlton boss last season - and has been linked with a string of vacancies including Aston Villa, West Brom, Leeds and Norwich.

The 49-year-old joined the Hammers as an apprentice in 1974, before going onto to play at Birmingham, Villa, Charlton and Brighton.

It is understood Curbishley has been offered a three-year contract, with former Charlton assistant Mervyn Day also ready to join their old coaching colleague Keith Peacock, who is already on West Ham's staff, at Upton Park.

Magnusson is keen to appoint someone with years of experience of English top-flight football following the departure of Pardew, who in his three seasons had led the Hammers to promotion and the 2006 FA Cup final.

West Ham's new boss would be given a substantial kitty for the January transfer window in an attempt to secure Premiership status ahead of the forthcoming lucrative television deal.

Curbishley has made little secret of his feelings, describing the Hammers' interest as "a massive honour".

He said: "Of course I am interested. Perhaps having the chance to manage them, five years after they were allegedly seeking me to replace Harry Redknapp, is a massive honour.

"Once you are brought up in a background like West Ham the affection you have for the club never goes away."