West Ham have hardly set the world alight this season, and even though they have made some astute signings it does appear that Alan Curbishley is unlikely to be the man to make things happen at Upton Park. So is the former Charlton boss the kind of manager who can lead a team into the higher echelons of the Premier League?

Look what is happening at Manchester City. They have the money, the fan base and now, even though it is early days, they have the big-name manager who seems to be making it happen on the pitch. West Ham's excellent run at the end of last term papered over the cracks. Curbs cannot blame Alan Pardew for the relative lack of success, especially the 11 games without a win following the manager’s debut game victory against Manchester United.

There is no doubt that he helped Charlton punch above its weight for most of his 15-year tenure, but can Hammers fans really get too excited about the future whilst he is steering the ship? True, a big-name manager does not guarantee success, but should West Ham opt for one with a proven track record of taking a side into the top half and beyond, then I think it would go well with the cash injection currently being given by Eggert Magnusson.

'Curbishley is one of only three Boleyn bosses to have experienced defeat more than success whilst in charge of the club'


So far not much has come of the £50m that has been spent and a narrow win at Birmingham is not much to show for the start of a season that held great promise. Do I think that the current manager can stop West Ham from being dragged into another relegation battle? Yes. Do I think that Curbishley can take West Ham to mid-table mediocrity. Yes. At a push he could probably secure the side a place amongst the Boros and the Villas.

But do I think that Curbs can take West Ham to the next level - the top-10 finish and Cup Final season that Alan Pardew managed? No. He is after all one of only three Boleyn bosses to have experienced defeat more than success whilst in charge of the club.

So that leads inevitably to the question of which managers could take the job on. Who is out there who could push the club to where their fanatical support deserves to be? It may be time to go foreign and get a coach from abroad, something that West Ham have declined to do. I think a pairing of a mature overseas manager with a young apprentice such as Teddy Sheringham is the way to go. Teddy would take to management like a duck to water and what better place to start than in the East End?

One man who could do the senior job is Martin Jol. I am sure that any Spurs fan reading this suggestion will probably fling his computer out of the window and wish to cut me into little pieces with a spoon. But permit me to explain. I am using Jol as an example as much anything else; he is the kind of boss whose credentials are superior enough to consider him for the Upton Park job. I am sure West ham fans will appreciate Martin Jol even if some Spurs fans are too stupid to realise what a good job he has done

I am sure that the hatred that exists between the clubs will prevent this from happening. But given Jol's precarious position at the Lane, coupled with question marks on Curbishley's  ability to take the Hammers to the top 10, it seems a manager like Jol would be perfect for the hot seat.