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Thursday, 14 June, 2001, 09:53 GMT 10:53 UK
Roeder the man for West Ham?
Does Roeder have what it takes to be successful at the helm of the Hammers?
Former club coach Glenn Roeder has been promoted to the top job at West Ham.

Following Harry Redknapp's departure, does Roeder have what it takes to be successful at the helm.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Charlton boss Alan Curbishley and Middlesbrough's new manager Steve McClaren both turned down moves to West Ham.

Now, Glenn Roeder has been named as the man to take over the reins.

Joe Cole has publicly backed the new boss, who has been a coach at the club for the past two years.

Paolo di Canio, on the other hand, has previously warned that the club should avoid turning into "another Sheffield Wednesday".

Is Roeder up to the required standard in your book?

What can he bring to West Ham as their new manager?

Email us with your views.

HAVE YOUR SAY


With our record of manager loyalty, any comparisons with Man City are ludicrous. I plan to back Glenn. With us behind him, he may have a chance to succeed, with us against him, he¿s lost already. I have no confidence in the board and I am surprised that the decision wasn¿t delayed longer after both Bryan Robson and Terry Venables departures from Middlesbrough. I would have preferred to be following Stuart Pearce into battle, but good luck to you Glenn.
Adam, England


The real test will be to see who stays in the squad for the start of the season
  Pat McCarthy, Dublin

Don't panic West Ham fans....it could have been worse. There was rumours of you appointing Alvin Martin as manager. As a Southend United supporter, I can assure you that Glen Roeder is the equivalent of Sven Goran Eriksson compared with Alvin!!!
Dave Goody, UK

As a Hammers fan I wish Glen all the best, like everyone else I am disappointed that we haven't gone for someone with more top flight experience, but then I think it is a better appointment than George Graham.

The real test will be to see who stays in the squad for the start of the season and how the players are motivated. We will miss Frank but under the circumstances I fully respect his decision and in truth the squad is still very strong and we can still challenge for a top-half finish.

So all you disillusioned Hammers lets give the lad a chance - he's all we have at the moment so lets give him a try.
Pat McCarthy, Dublin

With the best squad and most cash West Ham have had in years it seems that the fans and players have been sold out again by the board. Di Canio echoed the thoughts of all the fans when he spoke about Roeder. A good coach he may be but at this level a big name is needed. Good luck to Roeder, I hope he can prove me wrong but against a very strong Premiership next season will be an uphill struggle even if the other big names at the club decide to stay.

If he could not keep Watford competitive in the First Division what chance is there of keeping West Ham respectable against the likes of Man Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal. Not to mention the strong clubs recently promoted to the Premiership.
Steve Reid, England

No-one else wanted the job - and who can blame them. The best thing the Upton Park faithful can do now is give the new manager a chance. He's all you've got. Plenty of them wanted to see the back of Harry Redknapp and now they've got their wish.
Rich, England

A very unambitious appointment on paper. But then in the light of the recent departures of West Ham's 2 best players, this reflects the level of ambition of the Board. Good luck Glenn. At least its a fresh face for the Premiership and not just another veteran of the Premiership manager merry-go-round
Steve Elliff, UK

It's not Glenn Roeder that worries me. It's what he represents. His appointment means that we could not attract anyone else because we only have a small amount of money to spend. I will give him time, but I am very angry with the board right now, especially since they don't have the balls to come out and say anything. But in my opinion, Glenn Roeder with £30M to spend would be a lot better than Glenn Roeder with £14M. The board have to realise, that if we go down to Div 1, they loose more money than they have ever stolen from us in the past.
Paul, UK

I think West Ham fans should give Roeder a chance. New managers sometimes surprise their fans. I don't think that West Ham have any real chance of winning anything this season and Roeder is going to be shouldered with the blame.
Al, England


West Ham are going to get relegated next season, the worst day in the history of the club is near to completion.
  Lee Birch, Dagenham, England

As a distant relative of Trevor Brooking (MBE), I feel that my opinion is valid and that I speak for the large mass of supporters. Glen Roeder is not the right choice. He is a 'Yes Man' to our money grabbing board.
Adrian Paxman, UK

Sorry, didn't West Ham say they were going to appoint someone with pedigree? Does anyone realise what a joke it is to be a West Ham fan! I will not be supporting Glen Roeder, because this man will get us relegated, he will not cut it at this level, previous forays into management have ended in disaster. The board have elected for a cheap option and hopefully it will cost them.
Mark, Essex

I received my application form yesterday for my £550 Season ticket, due to the board having no clue I will not be spending my money. If Roeder is so good why was he not Redknapp's right hand man, and if he is so good why was he not appointed straight after Redknapp's departure. The answer is no one else wanted the job and the board wanted a yes man who will not cause any problems.

I have had enough of the board taking the mickey out of great fans, and all hammers fans have now got to show they have no faith in the board by not purchasing tickets. I feel sorry for Glen he is just a political puppet in all this. I will not be paying £550 to watch a team struggling to survive in the premiership. Who do they think they are. A sad day for the hammers.
Paul Cullen, England

I can see West Ham on the verge of doing a Man City - managers hounded out by the fans after only a couple of games in charge, the club plummets to the lower leagues and the fans blame everyone else but themselves. Show some gratitude - there's a reason Roeder is manager, no one else wants the hassle of putting up with you lot.
Paul, London, UK

I have to admit it is a bit of a surprise to see that the job has gone to Roeder. But let's look at the options. McClaren turned us down and they didn't even bother going for our favourite Curbishley. Now Glenn has been appointed I say give him a chance at least. If he has £15m to spend let's see who he gets in and then we can criticise on personnel and performances. Whatever player wants to leave then sell them!
Jamie, UK

£29m from Ferdinand and Lampard - where's it gone?
John, England


He will be hard pressed to control Paulo
  Paul Geden, England

As a Watford fan, I am simply stunned by this laughable appointment. Glenn's time at Vicarage Rd was, at best, indifferent. I can't believe he has another chance at a Premiership club claiming to be ambitious. Thank goodness we got Vialli early in the summer. If I were a West Ham fan I'd be very unhappy.
Tony Hurran, UK

As an outsider this seems a very odd decision. What about George Graham, Roy Evans, David Platt or even Bryan Robson? On the bright side it does increase our chances of buying Joe Cole when West Ham struggle next season.
Michael, UK

West Ham have waited until after the deadline for season ticket applications before announcing this appointment! It just goes to show that the Board knew what they were going to do a long time ago and that the appointment of Roeder would cause dismay amongst the majority of Hammers fans.
James, UK

You cannot blame Glenn for taking the job. If no one else wants it then you have to get someone before pre-seasons starts. He will be hard pressed to control Paulo who I think will go now. If he can get a few wins under his belt then he can relax and start to use his own ideas. It will be down to the players now. They let us all down last year, so it is there turn to take responsibility and start performing. With a few new players and a few others back from injury, Glenn can lead us back up the table and into Europe!!
Paul Geden, England


Poor old Glenn - give him a few games folks
  Russell Marsh, Bristol, UK

A brave decision by West Ham. However, it does seem as though everyone has already written Roeder off. Why not sack him now to save time? Poor old Glenn - give him a few games folks.
Russell Marsh, Bristol, UK

As a Millwall fan I'm delighted. We will certainly meet the old enemy sooner rather than later, and I'm not talking about MFC being promoted next season.
Rob Wickham, UK

This could prove to be a disastrous decision by the Board. Then again, today could turn out to be one of the best days in our history. Give the man a chance!
Simon Kerins, UK

Rather have Roeder than George Graham, that's for sure. Who wants to manage a club that can't provide a big transfer fund to start with though? No big name manager would have the bottle or lack of sense. Good luck Glenn, you're going to need it.
Stuart, UK


What has Glenn Roeder done to upset West Ham fans?
  Ian Lathey, UK

We're on the Roeder nowhere...The decision to appoint Glen Roeder as the new West Ham manager doesn't surprise me one bit. After two failed attempts to secure a manager and numerous names touted in the press, the board has been left with no other alternative, but to appoint from within. What manager in his right mind would join West Ham in the current climate?

Harry's dismissal highlighted the failing of the Board and lack of ambition they have. Surely the supporters have to ask some serious questions about the way the top brass are running things at Upton Park?

That is where the problems have started and ultimately where the buck must stop. I for one will be seriously considering taken up the clubs offer on a refund of the season ticket.
Stuart A, UK

What has Glenn Roeder done to upset West Ham fans? Joe Cole has publicly backed him and he has worked under Harry Redknapp and learned to be a first-class coach. West Ham fans are falling into two traps; one in thinking that a high profile manager will guarantee them success and two in thinking that they are a big enough club to attract a high profile manager in the first place. Give Roeder a chance, he's a good guy.
Ian Lathey, UK

I have supported West Ham for over 35 years and I have never felt this upset. I feel utterly betrayed by this penny-pinching board with not an ounce of ambition. All they want is a yes man that will not stand up to them. Roeder was in charge of the reserve team last season and they finished bottom of the league. What a great CV.
J Smith, England

Can't stop to comment on the appointment of Glenn Roeder. I'm off to Upton Park to get my season ticket money back.
Martin Marsh, UK


I'm disappointed with the reaction that this appointment has brought
  Nick Shread, UK

What use will a new 40,000-seater stadium be in Division One? Because that is where will be this time next year! I am glad that I don't have a season ticket as that will save me the bother of going to Upton Park to get my money back.
Ian, England

I'm disappointed with the reaction that this appointment has brought. I trust the opinion of the current players at the club and they appear to be more than happy with Glenn, so I'm happy with the news.
Nick Shread, UK

I feel sorry for Roeder. You can't blame him for taking the job but you can blame the board for lack of ambition and support. Sack the board!
Steve F, UK

Why don't you all come down to the Valley and watch a decent team next season!
Peter - Charlton fan, UK


What a laughable appointment
  Peter Boyle, England

Failed at Watford, failed at Gillingham. Gets the job at West Ham. Says it all doesn't it?
Tony Odam, England

It just makes me sick that the club has no ambition. I certainly won't be renewing my season ticket.
Scott Roff, UK

My first game at Upton Park was in the old second division against Swansea in around 1950. Today is about as black a day as I have experienced. The Board of my club are defying the law of averages in that they have got everything wrong. They don't communicate with the fans. I have nothing personally against the new manager but his record and experience speak for themselves! The fans deserve better. This Board should go and be replaced with people who understand the modern football world and are prepared to fund this club. Mr Brown you are the weakest link, goodbye!
Paul Barnard, USA

What a laughable appointment. West Ham must be favourites to go down now.
Peter Boyle, England


Sack the Board! The club has absolutely no ambition
  Peter, England

As a lifelong Hammer, I'll support whatever decisions the club makes no matter how short-sighted, unambitious, half-baked and ill-conceived they are.

West Ham have obviously been able to attract the level of talent that matches the infrastructure and ambition within the club.

Lord help us all...
Mark C, Horsham, UK

I'm worried, but no one gave David O'Leary a chance and look what he's done. Get the kids playing first-team football.
Michael McDowell, Scotland

The appointment of Glenn Roeder has disappointed many fans. The reality of the club not being able to attract a big name manager is hard to believe. History has shown us to be amongst the most loyal clubs to work for with only eight managers. Put this together with a strong contingent of young players and a loyal fan base you would have thought there were a long list of managers fighting for the job. The lack of ambition that the club has shown is now returning to haunt them. Who would want to go to a club where they regularly sell their best players? Next season, the spectre of a relegation fight is already looming. Is Glenn Roeder ready for that kind of pressure?
Glen Brighton, UK

Sack the Board! The club has absolutely no ambition. Roeder may be a capable coach but the step is completely different to manage. Look at his track record, it doesn't make good reading. The Board should looked elsewhere and break the tradition of recruiting a manager with connections to the club. I was keen on a established football manager from abroad, however the Board refuse to give the club any chance of any honours.
Peter, England


What are the odds on West Ham going down next season?
  Carter, UK

Brave move promoting Glenn from within. I don't think that he is the man to take the club forward. They should have gone for a strong manager with a proven background. Couple this with the unrest that the club has gone through post-Redknapp and it does look like Glenn will be out of his depth.
Bill Glennie, England

I'm off down the bookies - what are the odds on West Ham going down next season?
Carter, UK

A totally under-whelming appointment. We arrogantly assumed that Curbishley would join us at the drop of a hat and he chose Charlton! The Board had better be prepared for the ramifications. The fans patience will last all of three games.
David Williams, UK

I simply cannot believe that the board of West Ham have appointed Roeder as manager. This is a massive backwards step for the club. I was pleased to see the back of Redknapp as I saw this as an excellent opportunity to move the club forward. This is deeply concerning and disappointing.
Steve Doidge, Hants, UK


It is impossible not to feel utterly betrayed by the club. They promised us a manager with a high profile, a manager that could take West Ham to the next level
  D Rollo, England

As an outsider looking at West Ham this does seem to be a large backward step for the club that looked so good just a couple of seasons ago. Presumably the club expects to be relegated this season and is surrendering without a fight - which is a shame for a club, which looked as if it had so much potential under Redknapp. If West Ham survive next season I'd be very surprised.
Matt Scott, Bucks, UK

How can anyone think he would do a good job? Once again the WHU board have made the club look inept and set the supporters up for ridicule. Surely, a winner like George Graham could have been persuaded to groom the blossom of young talent we have and actually win something. I feel the board do not actually want the club to win silverware because then they will have to start coming up with some money and spending what all Premiership clubs actually spend on both wages and players. Take your head from out of the sand West Ham, please!
Laurence, England

Oh no! Not another coach stepping up to be the main man! When will clubs start to learn from the failed attempts of Houston, Kidd and Howe? McClaren will fail as well. West Ham need a main man like Brian Clough to sort them out.
G. Simpson, England

I was among a minority of fans who supported the West Ham board when Redknapp and Lampard Snr. went. Now I say, "Come back, Harry & Frank, all is forgiven." The board had a golden opportunity to bring in a top class manager/coach and to lift the club to success. As it is I predict a place in the bottom three by Xmas and Roeder out by the end of the season. I'm not a season ticket holder, but if I were I would certainly be asking for my money back.
Peter Sharp, UK


I was happy to see Redknapp go - now I want him back!
  Jason Becker, UK

It is impossible not to feel utterly betrayed by the club. They promised us a manager with a high profile, a manager that could take West Ham to the next level. They have given us a man who is already a failure, somebody who was part of the inherently flawed Harry regime. How is this progress? How can this possibly be construed as anything other than a cowardly, backwards appointment? There are simply no positives to this situation. We have been lied to yet again by a board with no ambition, no passion, no ideas and no love for the club, which they charge us an absolute fortune to watch.
D Rollo, England

The biggest gamble in the history of West Ham. He needs a decent number 2, an old head like Ray Harford. The players may like him but will they respect him?
Steve Coombs, UK

It's hard to say what Glenn can bring. He hardly set the world alight at Watford or Gillingham. I would hope that he could raise spirits and training standards to provide a more dedicated and convincing side. I would like to see a West Ham that gets more than the perennial 'good potential - could do better' on the end of year report. I'd say he has about three games to prove himself to the fans.
Steve, London, UK

I was happy when Harry Redknapp left the club because I thought that he had taken West Ham as far as he could. I was looking forward to the appointment of someone who could take the club a step further. I am horrified that the club think Glenn Roeder has the credentials to do this.

We need someone high profile to attract good players to add to the youth we have. Glenn was a complete failure as a manager with Gillingham and Watford, why on earth would anyone think he could do differently at West Ham? He is completely inexperienced. Tottenham have Glenn Hoddle, Man City have Kevin Keegan, even Watford have Gianluca Vialli, and who do we have - Glenn Roeder - great. I was happy to see Redknapp go - now I want him back!
Jason Becker, UK

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12 Jun 01 |  West Ham Utd
Redknapp amazed at West Ham limbo
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