West Ham finally set to sack Avram Grant this week but Martin O'Neill yet to agree terms to take over
Avram Grant is finally expected to be sacked as manager of West Ham United this week with the beleaguered club realising it cannot let the uncertainty over his future drag on for much longer.
The delay in removing Grant has been caused by two factors: the failure to agree terms with his replacement, with Martin O'Neill remaining the number one choice, and also a genuine reluctance to sack the 55-year-old Israeli who is regarded by the club's hierarchy as a decent man working under difficult circumstances.
However, the build-up to Saturday's match against Arsenal — which ended in an emphatic 3-0 defeat that left West Ham at the bottom of the table — was dominated by Grant's future with some reports claiming he would be sacked after the game. It is understood that was always unlikely to be the case although it is now only a matter of time before he is dismissed, unless the club fail to land a new manager.
As well as O'Neill, West Ham have discussed the possibility of employing Sam Allardyce, although there is a nervousness over his personal demands, the number of staff he would like to bring with him and also the style of football he might use even though he is understood to be keen on the post.
West Ham have also considered Cardiff City's Dave Jones — who was on a list of potential targets last summer — and even Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish, who is under pressure. The availability of former Tottenham Hotspur manager Martin Jol has also led to his name being linked with the job along with Chris Hughton.
However, it is believed that O'Neill has always been West Ham's preferred choice should they part company with Grant, although they have been unsure as to whether the 58 year-old, who walked out on Aston Villa just before the start of the season, would want to join them
O'Neill has coveted the Liverpool job but the appointment of Kenny Dalglish, at least until the end of the season, has reduced his chances of being employed at Anfield, while he also wants assurances over transfer budgets, backroom staff and his length of contract if he is to join West Ham.
The club's owners would prefer to offer a deal to manager which has a lower base salary but with a big bonus to be paid if relegation is avoided.
There are also serious reservations over the strength of the squad and with less than two weeks until the transfer window closes there is an understanding that players need to be recruited quickly, especially as West Ham are suffering from a severe injury crisis.
"It will all be resolved, it can't go on," said one senior club source yesterday. "In saying that, we know that whoever the manager was with the team we had out on Saturday, we would have lost. We are dealing with an enormous number of injuries."
This, along with an improvement in results over Christmas, has helped keep Grant in his job until now.
With the decision over who will be the preferred bidder to occupy the Olympic Stadium imminent, West Ham also know that their choice of manager is vital.
Vice-chairman Karren Brady is believed to be particularly concerned that Grant is not the right man to lead the club and while co-chairman David Gold is less certain that a change is needed, it is understood that David Sullivan is deeply worried about the club's predicament.
The manager also had a very public spat with Brady over the collapse of Steve Sidwell's proposed transfer from Aston Villa, while it is believed that Robbie Keane, who is one of West Ham's prime targets, is delaying a decision on his future as he prepares to leave Tottenham until he knows who will be in charge at Upton Park. Birmingham had an offer accepted last week, while O'Neill had wanted to sign Keane for Villa last summer.
Grant, who joined from Portsmouth, is, according to sources close to him, expecting to be sacked ahead of Saturday's game away to Everton and certainly appeared to be saying his farewells at Upton Park on Saturday.
Despite agreeing a four-year deal it is also believed that he will not be due substantial compensation. Grant is also understood to believe that O'Neill has been lined up as his replacement and told friends as such at the end of last week.
At the same time, and perhaps crucially, O'Neill is likely to be uncomfortable about the way in which he has so publicly been linked with
