Alan Curbishley Resigns—West Ham Shoot Themselves in the Foot

Three days into September and what a month it has been! The first day of the month saw Manchester City become a force to be reckoned with, the second saw intense speculation to the future of Kevin Keegan, and now today it is Alan Curbishley's job that has been talked about.

Since the very start of the season, Curbishley has been the victim of speculation. He was the main candidate for the first managerial casualty of the season, much to the dismay of many fans and Curbishley himself. Personally, I couldn't understand this either. I thought Curbishley was good for West Ham, and was leading them up the table.

Considering all the injury problems he has had to deal with, he has done a fantastic job. Then today news emerges that Alan Curbishley has indeed become the first managerial casualty of the season, just three games in. Once again, it was down to off-the-field problems, something that is becoming way too common in football nowadays.
 
On the field, Curbishley and West Ham were flying. Two wins from their first three games gave them their best start for nine years, and they are currently sitting pretty in fifth place in the league. However, not for the first time this year, the transfer window seems to have been the source of the problem.

Curbishley wasn't happy with the board sanctioning the sales of Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney, two key players, without involving him. A manager having nothing to do with the purchase and sales of players is not a workable situation.

Curbishley started his footballing career with West Ham back in 1975, and 33 years later, it will hurt to leave the team under such circumstances. Speculation is rife as to who will take over, with Slaven Bilic being the main contender, a man who also used to play for the Hammers.

Far from the 88-year period during which West Ham had only six different managers, whoever gets the job this time will become their fifth manager in seven years. With Alan Curbishley joining the likes of Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney out of the Boleyn Ground, West Ham look to have some troubling times ahead.

If I were a Hammers fan, I would be worried.