After the horrid match against Leicester City and the club without a manager, let’s have fun and look at which former West Ham player would be a good manager?
The news is well over 18 hours old by now but in case you didn’t know, West Ham United has sacked Manuel Pellegrini after an awful run of matches streaming all the way back to October. As the club takes a day off to rest after yesterday, who’s next?
Nothing is certain as of yet and the board could change their minds but for now, it looks like the return of David Moyes. As the Scotsman may or may not begin his return, let’s look for fun at a what-if. What if they chose a former player? Who would it be?
Kevin Keen
Starting with the one currently closest to the club as Kevin Keen is currently managing the U18s for West Ham. Keen spent 10 years in total playing for the Hammers. He also was the U21s manager for 4 years, spent 5 years as the senior team’s assistant manager and he spent 1 match at the Hammers caretaker before being relegated in 2011.
Since then he has gone on to coach at about every level giving him over 17 years of managerial experience. Getting Keen the head job would surely motivate the youth to try because they would potentially be getting more shots under him.
Jack Collison
Next up, former player and former manager of the youth, Jack Collison. Collison is no longer with the club as he is now with the Atlanta United youth system in the MLS but as many of you know, his history with the Hammers was rich and promising.
Jack only spent 2 seasons with the youth at West Ham but it was extremely influential and he was a major part of bringing in the current manager of the youth side. Jack still knows and has a solid relationship with a few current players and staff making him a solid choice for overall morale.
Paulo Di Canio
Some will tell you that Paulo Di Canio was and will forever be the most influential center forward that the Hammers ever had and they wouldn’t be wrong. Very much a journeyman in his playing career, but his time at West Ham still hold near and dear to his heart.
As a manager, however, it has not been as storied of a career. He has only managed just under 3 years splitting the time between 2 clubs, Swindon Town and Sunderland. Don’t let his lack of experience full you thought as he would be a good fit to motivate the boys. Definitely not a long-lasting endeavor but something to spark a culture change.
Joe Cole
Last but certainly not least Joe Cole. Cole spent time at West Ham from 1998 to 2003 and then again from 2013 until 2014. The Londoner finally retired from football in 2018 after a 20-year playing career and he is currently a technical trainer at crosstown rival Chelsea.
"David Moyes is a fantastic manager who'd do a great job, but he needs a structure."
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 28, 2019
"Me? There's only two clubs I'd move from sitting here for...Chelsea or West Ham!" 👀
Joe Cole reacts to the news that Manuel Pellegrini has lost his job as manager... pic.twitter.com/Y2eXXUc90Y
Out of this list, Cole has the least amount of experience but he been the most boisterous about the club and its happenings over the past few months. He would definitely bring the Lampard thought of youth and aggression but would the Hammers take him back?
The probability of any of these former Hammers actually making the cut and becoming West Ham’s next manager is slim to none but its fun to look at the past and think about what they could become. As for who will actually manage the Hammers, that question mark is still out.