Flying Kiwis – May 26
Winston Reid – West Ham United (English Premier League)
Well, that didn’t take long. Barely before Winston Reid had time to get his boots off following his final game of the season, it was announced by the club that Hammers manager Sam Allardyce would not be offered a new contract when his current one expired in a few weeks. He’s not been sacked… but they don’t want him back either.
“We would like to start by thanking Sam Allardyce for his valuable work since arriving at the Boleyn Ground four years ago. He leaves the Club in a considerably better state then when he arrived and, for that, the Board are truly grateful. However, we have made the decision not to renew his contract, so we now have the chance to appoint a new manager with a new philosophy to lead us into two of the most exciting years in our great Club’s history.
Our target is to recruit a manager that will build a team capable of saying a fitting farewell to the Boleyn Ground next year and do justice to the outstanding surrounds we will call home from August 2016. We have already been impressed with the quality of candidates that have expressed an interest in the role and fully expect to appoint a manager with the credentials to take this Club on to new heights.
From our point of view there isn’t a more exciting job in the Premier League at present.”
- WHU Joint-Chairmen David Sullivan & David Gold
So the signs are good for next season, by the sounds of this. Winston Reid’s contract saga was a major part of this campaign, and it has been suggested deep within the West Ham forums and fan blogs that perhaps Reid had fallen out with Fat Sam and that his new contract was finally sorted because of assurances that Allardyce wouldn’t be back. We’ve mentioned that whole thing before in this column, so no use in dragging out old laundry, but the telling point is just how ambitious West Ham seem. Allardyce has a reputation for lower-table security and not much else, just look at how WHU faded after being assured of Premier League footy next season. They want a new manager that’ll have them contending for European spots and making cup runs, grander stages for their grand new stadium the season after next. And it’s not hard at all to believe that Winston – busy fending off tabloid links with Champions League clubs – could have been sold on that progression.
It sure doesn’t get much more ambitious than going after Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian is odds on to be sacked at Real Madrid on account of their president sacks managers like the Romans killed Christians. Antsy Anci said he’d take a year off Pep style if he loses his job, but how could he resist if West Ham come calling? If that’s the case, then let’s not rule out Jurgen Klopp either. Rafa Benitez as been mentioned too, though he may be fielding more lucrative offers. Former Hammer Slaven Bilic has a strong up-and-coming reputation as a manager, and the Croat is dead keen to coach in the England, he’s a certain possibility. You can also throw in names like Steve McClaren, Andre Villas-Boas, Michael Laudrup, David Moyes and Marcelo Bielsa. The club says they already have a shortlist, and that whoever they appoint is gonna have plenty to spend on transfers.
As for the game against Newcastle, the less said the better. Winston played, West Ham lost. Nobody was really watching.
Also, this:
Ryan Thomas – PEC Zwolle (Dutch Eredivisie)
It was another great season from Zwolle, fast establishing themselves as a formidable Eredivisie team, but it wasn’t quite enough to squeeze back into Europe. After finishing sixth on the table, they entered a four-team playoff for the final Europa League spot delegated to Holland, facing Vitesse in a two-legged semi-final. The first leg was on Friday, the second on Sunday.
Playing at home, there was a little controversy as Maikel van der Werff started for Zwolle despite having agreed a move to their opponents Vitesse for next season. That was thrown out the window when van der Werff opened the scoring after half an hour. But in the second half, Thomas and co. kind threw it away when they conceded two quick goals. They came close to equalising but not close enough, taking a 2-1 deficit into the second leg away. Ryan Thomas played 72 minutes, making a couple key passes but no shots and not as many touches as he’d have liked either.
Zwolle gave a better account of themselves in the next game. They were urgent and aggressive, despite lacking in possession, and created enough chances to make things happen. Unfortunately they conceded first, having to play from 3-1 down on aggregate after 18 mins. Tomas Necid pulled one back in the second half but no second was forthcoming. Van der Werff was sent off with 10 left and it ended 1-1, 3-2 on aggregate. 90 mins and a couple shots on target for Thommo. No European footy next season but plenty to be proud of.
Marco Rojas – FC Thun (Swiss Super League)
The last man standing. As all others are packing suitcases for their summer holidays, Marco Rojas remains in Switzerland to finish off his loan spell at Thun. We don’t really know if he’ll be back next season though at this stage it’d seem doubtful. Still, it’s been a successful time for a bloke well in need of some football.
First off, they came up against St. Gallen midweek. It’s a team they’ve had trouble with in recent years, and once more they copped more than they expected. Amidst fan protests at the terrible finish of their team, the home side began slowly and it was Thun that had the first great chance, a shot at the far post popped into the crossbar after the keeper had parried away. St. Gallen came into it more as the half progressed, nearly scoring from a corner, before taking the lead in the 35th minute from the penalty spot. But sloppy defending in the second half and scores were level, thanks to lil Marco Rojas. A poor clearance fell to him around the penalty spot wide open and he buried it gladly. Boom.
SG were reduced to ten men after Stephane Besle threw an elbow, that was with just a couple of minute of regular time remaining, only for a dirty challenge from Dennis Hediger earning him a second yellow and ensuring the game finished 10 vs 10. With thirty seconds of injury time to go, Dejan Janjatovic slammed in a stunning winner for St. Gallen and the game ended 2-1. A goal to Rojas, who played 84 minutes, but a result that jeopardised their shot at third place (granted with a Europa spot already secured).
And then this morning they took on the champions Basel. Basel who sealed the title a few weeks back, with a goal difference more than twice as good as any other team. But then they did show some complacency in losing to bottom-placed Aarau last week. So Thun came in with confidence, and they were rewarded 15 mins in when they took the lead to the delight of the home fans. Berat Sadik nodding home from a fine cross. Both teams continued to threaten in the first half, Thun hit the post while Basel had one cleared off the line. If anything, Thun were the more dangerous side, yet the game took a huge swing in the 72nd when Basel won a penalty as their winger was chopped down. Just a little bit later Basel took the lead, two goals in 4 minutes, but when it looked like the game had slipped away, Sadik stepped up again to fire in a lovely volley in the 85th, salvaging a point. 2-2. Rojas started this game, being subbed off after 67 mins. He also happened to run into an old A-League buddy.
So now if Zurich loses to Grasshoppers in the final game, or if Thun match Zurich’s result, then FC Thun finish third in the Swiss Super League. It’ll be their best finish since 2002/03.
Up Next: 6.30am Saturday, Aarau vs FC Thun (NZT)