Argentine forward Carlos Tevez has said he was surprised sacked West Ham United manager Alan Pardew held on to the job for as long as he did.

"In Argentina or Brazil he would have been out long ago," Tevez was quoted as saying in Sunday's News of the World newspaper.

"It was clear the team did not react as he wanted, it wasn't going right."

Pardew was sacked last Monday following a poor run of results that left the London club third from bottom in the Premier League.

He was replaced by Alan Curbishley whose first game in charge will be against league leaders Manchester United later on Sunday.

Tevez, who along with compatriot Javier Mascherano, joined West Ham on a year-long loan deal last August but struggled to settle in the side under Pardew.

"I was never given the chances I thought I would be given and I was told to play out of position against my will," added Tevez, who stormed out of the club's Upton Park ground after being substituted during a league match last month. He later apologised.

"I had to sacrifice myself for the team, which I don't think helped. I was playing in ways I did not understand well and I lost a lot from my own game.

"I don't think he (Pardew) had a clear idea about my game or what to do. He was a good football man but more suited to coaching English teams without foreigners with big reputations," the 22-year-old said.

West Ham executive chairman Eggert Magnusson told the BBC that former Charlton manager Curbishley would be given money to bring in players in the January transfer window.

"Alan has to tell me what players he wants and who he needs to accomplish what we are out for this season and that is to stay in the Premiership," he said on Sunday.

"Within reason he will get the money he needs. I'm not saying any figures but he will get the money he needs."