Former Hammers striker Clive Allen has revealed that caretaker manager Trevor Brooking is unlikely to take the vacant managerial post up on a full time basis, despite calls from supporters for him to do so.
Allen, speaking on Talksport this evening (Sunday) ruled fans favourite Brooking out of the race to replace Glenn Roeder after revealing how the Hammers legend told him recently that he wasn't interested in a full time role.And he added that he felt an announcement over the new manager would be likely to come sooner rather than later.
"Trevor is a neighbour of mine and he has always said he doesn't want a managerial job full time. He understands the game and he knows what it entails but he has always said it is not something that he would relish.
"Although he enjoyed the brief spell in charge at the end of last season he was relieved when it was all over. He just doesn't need the day to day involvement."
Allen also criticised the board for the timing of the dismissal, coming just three games into the start of the new season.
"I'm pretty shocked and disappointed for Glenn who is a good friend of mine," he said. "He'll be philosophical about it but the timing is appalling, and you wonder what's been going on during summer.
"Glenn has been unwell, thankfully he's alright and he had been given the opportunity to restart his job - or so he thought. To let him prepare, take pre-season for the coming campaign and then sack him after three games is just bizarre.
"I don't think they were waiting for one bad result to sack Glenn. They were relegated and the board would had been fully justified in relieving Glenn of his job at the end of last season. To do it at the beginning of the new season leaves everything in turmoil."
Whilst the speculation over a future successor goes into overdrive Allen is quite clear on the kind of man he expects the board to appoint - and that spells bad news for the likes of young pretenders Tony Adams and Iain Dowie, the latter having arisen as a popular choice amongst supporters already.
"Considering the way Glenn got the job in first place I'd be very surprised if they haven't got someone in place already," said Allen. "I'd be very surprised if it was left open like last time.
"But I'd be surprised if they went for another young manager after Glenn's experience. West Ham need someone experienced, someone who has been there before. Someone with vast experience and someone who the fans would take to. That would be the way forward; I'd love to think that's what they have in mind."
One other name much mentioned this afternoon is that of former Millwall, Tottenham and Arsenal manager George Graham. Allen remains unconvinced.
"I just wonder if George would change from what he is doing," he added. "He was rumoured to be up for the job a couple of years ago but I'm not sure he'd want it now.
"But we'll wait and see - if offered the chance he might just well go for it. Football is in his blood and he might not turn it down."
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