WEST HAM TO BRING IN DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL
Alan Curbishley has dismissed rumours that Rafael Benitez’s former assistant at Liverpool, Pako Ayestaran, will be joining him at West Ham United. He did admit, however, that the club would be employing someone in the near future to help develop their training facilities and a new stadium.
When asked about the prospect of Ayestaran, who departed Anfield in early September, becoming director of football, Curbishley said: “That is something I know nothing about.
“All I can say is that we have discussed the situation and we are formulating a job description of what the position entails. No one has been in the frame or talked about.”
West Ham’s owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, who bought a 95 per cent share of the club for a cool £108m (including club debts of £23m) 12 months ago, is hopeful that his investment is not wasted, and wants to compete with the top Premier League clubs.
Having spent over £45m on bringing players to the club, the Hammers’ owner is now looking to build a bigger stadium as well as a new training complex.
“What you are seeing now is all the clubs trying to compete on a better playing field,” continued Curbishley. “The main reason we are looking to bring someone in is because we are hoping to push on – new stadium, training grounds et cetera.
“If we are talking about a 60,000 all-seater stadium, and perhaps new facilities, we really need someone who has been around that situation.
“We are talking about the long-term development of the club. We know that we have the opportunity to become bigger and to do that we have to plan it, work it out before we go anywhere.”
The West Ham manager was keen to stress that whoever was brought to the club would not have any influence over first team affairs, as has been rumoured to have led to factionalism at Chelsea and Tottenham earlier in the season.
Curbishley added: “I will take control of all first team matters. I don’t have any problems at all in that area. What we are basically after is someone who can come on board and help develop the club.”
Alan Curbishley has dismissed rumours that Rafael Benitez’s former assistant at Liverpool, Pako Ayestaran, will be joining him at West Ham United. He did admit, however, that the club would be employing someone in the near future to help develop their training facilities and a new stadium.
When asked about the prospect of Ayestaran, who departed Anfield in early September, becoming director of football, Curbishley said: “That is something I know nothing about.
“All I can say is that we have discussed the situation and we are formulating a job description of what the position entails. No one has been in the frame or talked about.”
West Ham’s owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, who bought a 95 per cent share of the club for a cool £108m (including club debts of £23m) 12 months ago, is hopeful that his investment is not wasted, and wants to compete with the top Premier League clubs.
Having spent over £45m on bringing players to the club, the Hammers’ owner is now looking to build a bigger stadium as well as a new training complex.
“What you are seeing now is all the clubs trying to compete on a better playing field,” continued Curbishley. “The main reason we are looking to bring someone in is because we are hoping to push on – new stadium, training grounds et cetera.
“If we are talking about a 60,000 all-seater stadium, and perhaps new facilities, we really need someone who has been around that situation.
“We are talking about the long-term development of the club. We know that we have the opportunity to become bigger and to do that we have to plan it, work it out before we go anywhere.”
The West Ham manager was keen to stress that whoever was brought to the club would not have any influence over first team affairs, as has been rumoured to have led to factionalism at Chelsea and Tottenham earlier in the season.
Curbishley added: “I will take control of all first team matters. I don’t have any problems at all in that area. What we are basically after is someone who can come on board and help develop the club.”
Labels: Alan Cubishley, Premier League, Upton Park, West Ham United
