Realigning Expectations

West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury has hinted that the club's proposed new stadium is likely to have a lower capacity than initially mooted. Eggert Magnusson, when talking about the plans for a new home last year, suggested that the planned capacity would be around 60,000 to match that of Arsenal's new stadium. However, in an interview with the Newham Recorder, Duxbury confirmed that the initial site will house slightly less. "At the moment, we are looking at a 50,000 stadium with the option of extending it to 60,000," he admitted. "It is not that we don't think we can fill 60,000 seats, but the last thing we want is empty seats. We are confident that we will be able to fill a 50,000 capacity stadium." The downsizing is in line with the ten-point plan for the future outlined in an official club statement on Monday. It all seems designed to lower expectations to a slightly more realistic level following the wave of early euphoria when the Icelandic consortium initially arrived.

In respect to the location of the proposed new ground, Duxbury revealed that the Parcelforce site by Upton Park tube station - which had previously been earmarked as the primary choice for relocation - was now in doubt due to certain conditions regarding the numerous gas tanks that reside on the same land. "There is really nothing new to say about the situation. We are still negotiating and in a multi-million pound deal, these things can take some time," explained Duxbury. "There are one or two obstacles that we still have to get over. One of those is the gas holders on the site. We are currently discussing things with Health and Safety about the problems of potentially explosive structures being there, and we have asked them to come back to us with a solution. We could build a stadium on the site with the gas holders there, but that would curtail what we want to do in terms of a hotel and a leisure complex. There is also a bus depot being looked at for the site, but obviously the more of the site we can get, the better."

Although plans are still at a tentative stage, Duxbury revealed that the firm contracted to carry out the project the site would be the same company responsible for Reading's Madejski Stadium - architects ACP, who also built Oxford's 15,000 capacity Assam Stadium and three quarters of Wolves' Molineux home. "In terms of the architects, we haven't got to the design stage yet, but it will be done by the same architects that designed Reading's stadium," disclosed the chief executive.

Finally, the club announced that they are close to securing the site for a new training ground. Some stories had suggested that financial pressures had caused the move to be shelved, but Duxbury confirmed that was far from the truth. "The completion of the new training site is nearer to fruition than the new stadium, though we don't expect to have completed the deal until September," he declared. "I can't say where the site is, but it is very near to Chadwell Heath, and the pitches are set up there already. It is just a matter of constructing the building and we will be ready to move."

Global Market Manoeuvres

West Ham United have confirmed Gianluca Nani as their new technical director. The 45-year-old Italian arrives at the Boleyn Ground from Brescia Calcio, where he has been the club's sporting director since 1999. Nani's previous responsibilities included being in charge of all aspects of technical development - such as the youth academy, transfers and improving training facilities. He will start his new role full time in June but has already begun working with Alan Curbishley on identifying potential transfer targets for the summer. In an official statement, the Italian's role at the club is defined as including:

* Enhancing the international scouting network
* Working with Alan Curbishley and the Board on all transfers
* Developing the youth academy with Tony Carr
* Improving all aspects of the training ground facilities

Nani possesses a good depth of knowledge of players in South America, and is reputed to have discovered Kaká, two years before AC Milan did, but when he tried to buy the Brazil forward, São Paulo increased the price at the last moment. Similarly, Brescia could not afford Adriano when he spotted the forward playing in a youth tournament in South America. After studying for a law degree, he worked as a sporting events organiser in Spain but took on his present role soon after marrying Silvia Corioni, the daughter of Luigi Corioni, the president of Brescia. He has also gained a reputation as a strong negotiator. Notably, Nani's arrival at Brescia coincided with that of Roberto Baggio, who helped the team to seventh place in Serie A in 2001, but they were relegated after the retirement of the former Italy forward in 2004. He also helped develop the talents of Andrea Pirlo and Luca Toni, the Italian World Cup winners, as well as Daniele Bonera, Stephen Appiah and Matuzalem.

West Ham United's shift to a continental structure is a bold break for a club that became known as “The Academy”. The likeable Nani, who speaks English, French and Spanish, stressed that as well as trying to attract foreign players to West Ham, he is determined to remain true to the club's academy roots. "I am proud and honoured to be here at West Ham. I know it is a club full of history and they play the right way," he said. "I met [West Ham directors] Alan and Scott Duxbury some months ago. We started to talk about the ambitions of the club. We have the same point of view. This is a club with incredible potential. We have to work to bring the club to its potential. I know players like Bobby Moore and Trevor Brooking, I know the history of West Ham. I know the fans are passionate. We talked about the ambitions of the club and we have the same point of view. I have to help the club develop a system to discover the best young players. We have to build the system and the staff. I know West Ham is the best academy in England and maybe one of the best in the world. If we try to find some players from abroad, it doesn't mean we break the best academy in England. We must improve the English players as well. The fans like recognising the players."

Alan Curbishley has been central to the lengthy search for the ideal candidate for the position. It is a search which has seen the likes of new Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni, former Liverpool assistant Pako Ayesteran and Fabio Capello's right-hand man Franco Baldini linked with the position. "I've been a major part in the recruitment and in setting the job description," Curbishley said. "Perhaps at other clubs there's been a wider-reaching brief for the technical director. We've made sure that we're concentrating on one area; an area I think we need help on. I don't envisage any problems on that because I will have the final say on recruitment. Obviously there's going to be differences of opinion when we're talking about two people involved in something, but I'm sure we're big enough and strong enough to work it all out. There's been a bit of scepticism about the role. We took our time, defined what we wanted. It will help me enormously and push the club forward. You may see this sort of appointment may become the norm in the Premier League. The manager has to be on board with what is done and I have been completely involved in the process. I feel Gianluca is the person I need to help me in recruitment for the club. He is vastly experienced. You need the infrastructure because this is a global game."

Nani's remit will be broadly between that of Nicky Hammond, who negotiates deals at Reading, and Damien Comolli, who has been more hands-on at Tottenham Hotspur. But West Ham are keen to avoid the internal conflict that led to Martin Jol's dismissal at White Hart Lane in October. Curbishley insisted that he will have the final say on transfers, after asking Nani to provide the options. Curbishley's readiness to embrace the move to the continental system was largely because he was left with little choice. He said that the club's present scouting network was inadequate. “I need to have my eyes opened up to players,” Curbishley said. “There is a void at the club and we are in a position to compete at the moment. I don't want to be in a position where we don't know about players. I will pick his brains, his network and advice. I don't think there is going to be any interference [after that]. I don't envisage any problems because I will have the final say. I don't think he has got a managerial bone in him.”

Aware that his appointment might invite conjecture, Gianluca Nani turned to Alan Curbishley and joked that he had only been an amateur coach. The West Ham United manager sarcastically responded that he had been accused of being that himself over the past week.

"Gianluca is the person I need to help me in the recruitment at the club, venturing down into the academy level," said Curbishley, who travelled to Italy last week to discuss possible summer transfer targets with Nani. "It is a big brief but I am sure he is up for it. He is vastly experienced. We took a good look at Brescia and what they have achieved. We are lacking at the club in terms of infrastructure and network, which you need now because it is a global game. Since I have been here the club has always been looking to push on and push forward. There was a void I felt needed to be filled. We don't want to hear about a player going to another club and not have known anything about it. We expect the infrastructure of the club when it comes to recruitment will be beefed up, giving us a chance to get the best home grown players and foreign players. That is an area I feel we have been lacking."

The Italian is a graduate of the world-renowned Italian FA (FIGC) technical centre in Coverciano where he holds regular seminars related to the duties and responsibilities of his position. He has already watched West Ham several times on video and identified the areas that can be improved upon, most notably in attack. Part of the £3.5 million budget he has at Brescia was based on wheeling and dealing, but he can expect eight times as much at Upton Park- not that he will necessarily advocate spending it. “I am here to build something, not to break things,” Nani said. “I am not here to get a medallion. We have to bring the club to its potential. To get the best players. Maybe it could be another Paolo di Canio. We will make mistakes. We are in a global market. But that doesn't mean we will break what is the best academy in England, maybe in the world.”

Certainly the evidence would suggest that the club need to look further afield when making signings for the first-team. Curbishley has signed 12 players since taking over as West Ham manager in December 2006, with all but one of those signings coming from other English clubs. West Ham hope that Nani's expertise will not only bring them talent from all over the world, but will also help them save on transfer fees. In fact, the phrase "global market" was mentioned so often yesterday that you could be forgiven for thinking it was a discussion about the credit crunch rather than Nani's job description.

Scott Duxbury, West Ham United CEO, said: "West Ham United's aims are to continue to compete successfully in the Premier League and to challenge for trophies both domestically and in Europe. A key factor in helping to achieve this is the appointment of our technical director Gianluca Nani. Many months ago, the manager and the board agreed a job description for what was required from the appointment."Someone who could establish a leading domestic and European scouting network, ensure the Academy and the first team have access to the best players both domestically and internationally and establish an infrastructure to ensure the successful development of all our players. The manager led the recruitment process and interviewed all potential candidates which led to the eventual appointment of Gianluca. The club now has a major opportunity to grow and develop as a leading football force in the Premier League and we are extremely pleased Gianluca has agreed to join us and be part of the club and its ambitions going forward."

On the day of Nani's appointment, the board took the opportunity to outline its future ambitions for the club. An official statement said solid foundations had been built over many years and the club now has a major opportunity to grow and develop as a leading footballing force within the Premier League. It insisted that everyone at the club is committed to improvement and to a positive and dynamic future. To achieve that ambitions the club would be developed on sound football and business principles.

The objectives were listed as:

* Remain successful in the Premier League
* Challenge for the main English club trophies
* Qualify for European football
* Nurture young playing talent
* Develop our transfer trading policies and scouting networks
* Utilise the best physical and medical support services for the playing staff
* Improve our training ground facilities
* Examine ways of expanding our ground capacity via improvement or relocation
* Build our fan base and extend the links into local communities; and
* Strengthen the brand image of the club both nationally and internationally.

Interestingly, there is a subtle shift in tone away from some of the more sensational claims made during the time of Eggert Magnusson. The previously stated aim of Champions League football has now become simply European football; while the inclusion of the word 'improvement'- in both ground and training ground facilities- admits for the first time that relocation is not the only option presently being considered by the board.

West Ham United 2 Blackburn Rovers 1

Sears gives West Ham glimpse of bright future by David Lacey

West Ham United will always be about local heroes. The club may sign players from far and wide but Upton Park keeps a special place in its heart for an Essex boy made good. A roar of anticipation greeted Freddie Sears, an 18-year-old from Hornchurch, when he began to warm up and when he eventually came off the bench his 15 minutes of fame were virtually guaranteed... Guardian

Sears takes honours for Hammers' academy by Will Buckley

This was a game that might have meant more to Blackburn, who still had a few lingering hopes of securing a European place. But for West Ham, whose season has run aground with a flurry of big defeats, it was of fundamental significance. Had they contrived to lose 4-0 for a fourth consecutive time, they could have started to believe they were fated to do so every time they played... Observer

Sears blazes a trail for revival of Hammers' tradition by Paul Newman

Alan Curbishley would no doubt prefer to have something tangible to play for in the closing weeks of the season but being in the Premier League's comfort zone does have its consolations. If a Uefa Cup place still beckoned – or if the relegation trapdoor remained ajar – the West Ham manager might have thought twice about giving a debut to a teenage striker at this stage of the campaign... Independent

Sears follows in Cottee's footsteps to boost Hammers by Paul Newman

They love a home-grown hero down in the East End. Freddie Sears is the latest product of one of English football's most celebrated academies and the 18-year-old striker from Romford in Essex yesterday emulated a feat performed 25 years ago by Tony Cottee, with whom he has already been compared, by scoring on his Upton Park debut... Independent on Sunday

Freddie Sears nods West Ham winner by Staff

FREDDIE SEARS, an 18-year-old home-grown striker, came off the bench to record the most glorious debut for West Ham, scoring the winning goal to bring to an end a sorry sequence of heavy defeats. The England Under-19 international was cheered to the rafters at the end of a week in which he signed a new deal, but his storybook contribution might not have mattered had Dean Ashton not performed such a pivotal role... Sunday Times

Special operator Sears cracks code for Curbishley by Staff

West Ham United had started playing in binary: 0-1, 1-1, 1-0, 0-1, 1-1, 1-0, a code of results signifying little entertainment. Then came March and the numbers went from dull to dire: 0-4, 0-4, 0-4. The sequence of suffering was broken on Saturday with a simple sum: 1 x 18. That is, one 18-year-old, Freddie Sears, who scored the winner against Blackburn Rovers six minutes into his debut... Times

Debutant Freddie Sears adds romantic touch by Patrick Barclay

West Ham fans gave credit where it was due, roaring out the name of Dean Ashton shortly after the 18-year-old debutant Freddie Sears had made himself a near-instant hero by scoring the late goal that condemned those bold travellers Blackburn to only their fourth away defeat of the Premier League season... Sunday Telegraph

Freddie Sears enters West Ham folklore by Ben Findon

Based in Hornchurch, nurtured on the fields of the famed Little Heath academy and unleashed at Upton Park, Freddie Sears announced himself as a local hero in the finest West Ham tradition by taking just six minutes to crown his debut with a winning goal... Telegraph

Curbishley has no fears that Sears will stay the distance by Simon Cass

West Ham fans could be forgiven for thinking that it is just a matter of time before Freddie Sears, the latest product of their famed academy to make his mark in the first team, is poached... Mail

Hey Noni Nani!

According to several sources Brescia general manager Gianluca Nani has confirmed that he will be the new sporting director of West Ham United. Speaking in a news conference this afternoon, the Italian informed the media that he would be taking up his appointment at the end of the season. He is quoted as saying: "From June I will take over my new position with West Ham. I have conducted the negotiations in person but in the full co-operation of Brescia chairman [Luigi] Corioni, who I must thank along with his family. I have learnt so much in these years with the club and for that opportunity I must thank them."

There is as yet no official word from West Ham United but it is widely expected that the club will confirm the appointment tomorrow. If true it will bring to an end a long search to fill the newly created role; one that has taken in names such as Franco Baldini, Wim Koevermans, Giovanni Trapattoni and the Brazilian Leonardo. It is believed Alan Curbishley has been fully consulted about any possible appointment and the Irons manager has reportedly already travelled to Italy to discuss possible summer transfer targets. Nani is known for his strong contacts throughout Europe and South America and one of his many duties will be to oversee transfer policy at Upton Park. Renowned for his negotiating prowess, Nani will be expected to gain a tighter fiscal control at the club than existed under Eggert Magnusson, particularly as overseeing the planned relocation to a new stadium, as well as the move to a better-equipped training facility, would also fall under the Italian's remit. Nani worked as a sporting events organiser before taking on his present role soon after he married Silvia Corioni, the daughter of Luigi Corioni, the president of Brescia.

In an otherwise slow day, the News of the World insist Alan Curbishley can always return to Charlton if he is kicked out of West Ham United. They report that a high-ranking board member has told Curbishley he would be ‘welcomed back' at The Valley at a time when current boss Alan Pardew's position is being reviewed following Charlton's struggle for a Championship play-off spot. The board are said to be upset that the team, relegated from the Premier League last season, are struggling to bounce straight back to the top flight.

The article claims Curbishley is under mounting pressure at Upton Park after a triumvirate of 4-0 league defeats (by Chelsea, Liverpool and then Tottenham) effectively ended any hopes of European qualification this season. Although the 2-1 win over Blackburn arrested the ignominious slide, Curbishley's predilection for playing just one player up front has caused public rancour with certain players- notably Dean Ashton- and frustration among many fans reared on a more progressive style of football.

Finally, a People 'exclusive' reveals Argentina stars Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano are to be quizzed by Brazilian police probing fraud claims against the ex-president of their former club Corinthians. Tevez will be seen around June 17 when he is in Brazil to play a World Cup qualifier, while lawyers for midfielder Mascherano have been in contact with police but an interview date has yet to be set. Amusingly, as if not quite grasping the journalistic concept of the 'exclusive', the origin of the story is later revealed to be Brazil newspaper Clarin. Ex-Corinthians president Alberto Dualib, 88, is the man accused of fraudulently diverting money from the signings of several players. Although Tevez and Mascherano joined Corinthians in 2005 after they signed a contract with London-based investment fund Media Sports Investments (MSI), there is no suggestion those deals are presently part of this particular investigation.

Brooking Sears!