Hammers board hit back over Curbs row

Curbishley stepped down as Hammers boss yesterday, complaining that transfer decisions had been made without him.

The club's former manager was particularly angry at the sale of defenders George McCartney and Anton Ferdinand to Sunderland as he claimed he thought the "final say" on transfers rested with him.

But Fridgeirsson insists Curbishley was present at several meetings, the first of which was at the beginning of April, when the future direction of the club's transfer policy was discussed.

He said: "We agreed a transfer budget and the way forward at an April board meeting. Alan agreed with the plans, but was then reluctant to reach all the difficult decisions about the squad.

"If Alan had made this claim in April, when discussing our budget and plans for the forthcoming season, he might have a legitimate complaint.

"But he went to all the board meetings and was a dominant voice."

Fridgeirsson, who is owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson's right-hand man, also defended the management structure at the club, under which chief executive Scott Duxbury and technical director Gianluca Nani take a lead in transfer policy.

He said: "About a year ago, we began to feel we were vulnerable in having a structure with one manager who runs all football matters. If the manager leaves, where does it leave you? So we decided to build an infrastructure and philosophy for the club, which would provide continuity.

"We want a strong English club with English players, with its roots in the academy."

The Hammers have also invested heavily in their medical and training facilities in the last year.

Work on a new training ground is planned to start early next summer and several new appointments have been made to the medical department. Fridgeirsson told BBC Sport: "We have £100m in assets in terms of players and a £55m-plus salary bill, so it's crucial to look after the players and get the best out of them.

"We have been gathering experience from other clubs on the continent in this regard. We have recruited an osteopath from AC Milan, who has done excellent work with players such as Craig Bellamy. And if you look at a club like them, the medical department belongs to the club.

"A manager might be tempted to take a short-term view to medical matters, choosing to field an injured player in a crucial match.

"But at AC Milan, the same doctor has been looking after Paolo Maldini's knee for the last 20 years." Nani and Duxbury have been tasked with drawing up a shortlist of candidates.

"I have asked for a comprehensive list, in terms of nationality, experience and qualifications," Fridgeirsson said.

"The parameters go along with what we are trying to achieve at the club. The key element is that we want this to be a sustainable club."

It is understood the board met yesterday to discuss the personal specifications for the Curbishley's successor.

They are looking for a manager with experience of the Premier League or a top-level football environment and someone with the necessary skills to nurture young talent. Croatia boss Slaven Bilic and former Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini have emerged as the front runners.

Mancini is available following his summer departure from Inter and is known by West Ham's technical director, fellow Italian Gianluca Nani.

Bilic insisted today that he had a contract with his country, who take on England next Wednesday, until 2010 but is known to crave a move to the Premier League.

The club hope to have the new man in place before their next match, a Premier League clash at West Brom on Saturday week, though Kevin Keen is in charge in a caretaker's role for the moment.

THE MEN IN THE FRAME TO SIT IN THE HAMMERS HOT SEAT . . .

SLAVEN BILIC (Age 39. Croatia manager. Odds 7-4) Favourite despite signing a two-year contract with Croatia in April. Bilic played for West Ham during the 1996-97 season. A qualified lawyer, he has forged a strong reputation as a coach. Laid-back yet ambitious, a move to West Ham would mean a hefty pay rise.

HARRY REDKNAPP (Age 61. Portsmouth manager. Odds 8-1) Popular character at Upton Park after spending seven years in charge of the club from 1994. Nurtured the talents of emerging stars Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick, Frank Lampard and Joe Cole and his teams play exciting football.

SAM ALLARDYCE (Age 53. Available. Odds 8-1) Built up an excellent strong reputation during his eight yeats at Bolton, then saw it fall apart in a little over eight months at Newcastle. Proven ability to get the best out of ageing veterans would have proved useful if Freddie Ljungberg was still a Hammer.

ROBERTO MANCINI (Age 43. Available. Odds 8-1) Jose Mourinho's predecessor at Inter Milan has a strong track record, having led the Nerazzurri to three consecutive Serie A titles before being axed in May. Before Inter, he managed Fiorentina and Lazio - winning the Italian Cup for both clubs.

PAOLO DI CANIO (Age 40. Available. Odds 10-1) The Italian was a hugely popular figure during four years as a West Ham player from 1999. He has completed coaching qualifications and says he would love to manage in England and at West Ham in particular.