Balderdashed

It is a quiet morning on the tabloid front with just one Irons related story. The News of the World has a piece concerning Franco Baldini and how the Italian was destined for a role at West Ham United before Fabio Capello landed the England job. The article states that Capello's trusted lieutenant was set to be unveiled as Upton Park's new technical director to work alongside Alan Curbishley. His intended responsibility was to "scour the world to capture exciting young stars to help transform the Hammers into a top Premier League outfit and make the club millions in sell on fees". It is reported that Baldini certainly impressed the West Ham United board with his ambitious plans and global network of contacts in an interview for the job towards the end of the year. England's new general manager describes his expertise as looking after building teams through the markets, buying and selling players, and looking around the world for talent.

That skill set seems to be exactly what the Hammers are looking for, preferably in the guise of a well respected football figure who could compliment Alan Curbishley's managerial experience. The newspaper insists the Hammers are continuing their search and are now interviewing again with a view to having a new man in by Easter. According to the Mail on Sunday that person could be Wim Koevermans. They think West Ham United are poised to appointing a technical director by next month and the Dutch Under-18 coach is now one of the leading candidates. It is reported that chief executive Scott Duxbury is leading the search to bring in a continental-style director to assist manager Alan Curbishley and at least three people have already been interviewed. The new man will be charged with scouting foreign players and finding young talent.