Klopp snub talk is nonsense and Big Sam still boss, say West Ham
WEST Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady has rubbished suggestions that in-demand Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp has turned down the chance to manage the Hammers next season.
Brady also insisted there was nothing sinister in the delay to holding contract talks with current boss Sam Allardyce, who has just two months left on his current deal.
“It is just nonsense,” Brady said of the link with Klopp, who last week announced he would end his seven-year tenure with Dortmund at the end of the campaign.
“Sam is the manager. We have talked to him about sitting down at the end of the season, which we will do. We have to see what he wants to do going forwards. That’s how these things work.”
Just two Premier League wins since Christmas, following a strong start to the season, have revived doubts over Allardyce’s long-term future. Brady admits to concerns over the slump, but says the West Ham board recognises that the 60-year-old has improved the team.
“Sam has had a good season,” she added. “We’ve had a few recent disappointing results – he’d be more disappointed than anyone – but, overall, the relationship with Sam is good. He has done what we have asked of him.”
West Ham midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate, meanwhile, has apologised to David Silva for elbowing the Manchester City midfielder during Sunday’s match, which the Hammers lost 2-0.
“I would like to say to [David Silva] that I am very sorry that you were injured but it was not my intention,” Kouyate wrote on Twitter. “I went for the ball and my eyes were on the ball. You are a great guy and a great player and I hope you are back on the field very soon.”
Silva needed almost 10 minutes of treatment, including oxygen, during the game but was cleared by doctors to return to training yesterday.