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Alan Curbishley has resigned as manager of West Ham United. He had been under intense pressure since the summer, with the bookmakers making him favourite to be the first Premier League manager to get the sack. But Curbishley opted to jump rather than be pushed, despite guiding West Ham to fifth in the table after three games with two wins and a defeat.

Kevin Keen has been named as caretaker manager as the club look to appoint their fifth manager in seven years, with Slaven Bilic, the Croatia boss and Harry Redknapp, the former Hammers chief, leading the list of candidates.

A club statement said: “We can confirm that we have accepted Alan Curbishley’s resignation as we feel it is in the best interests of both parties. We wish Alan all the success in the future. A shortlist of candidates is being drawn up and an announcement will be made in due course about the new West Ham United manager.”

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BACKGROUND

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BACKGROUND

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Curbishley blamed a "breach of trust and confidence" for his sudden departure from Upton Park.

"I felt I could just not stand by and let what happened [pass], especially at the weekend, so I made a decision," Curbishley told Sky Sports News. "Some managers may not have taken this action, but I could not sit around and be silent on it. I am absolutely gutted I have had to come to this decision."

He added: "The selection of players is critical to the job of the manager and I had an agreement with the club that I alone would determine the composition of the squad.

"However, the club continued to make significant player decisions without involving me. In the end such a breach of trust and confidence meant that I had no option, but to leave."

Curbishley's relationship with the board reached breaking point last night, after the manager stated his dissatisfaction with the club's summer transfer activity at a meeting. Curbishley was unhappy that George McCartney, the left back, was sold to Sunderland on Monday after being assured that no player would leave after Anton Ferdinand's departure.

The former Charlton Athletic manager was annoyed that the club brought in only one experienced outfield player this summer, despite confirmation yesterday of the signing of David Di Michele, a striker, and Herita Ilunga, a left back, on year-long loans. Both deals are subject to registration by the Premier League.

West Ham issued a statement earlier today defending their transfer policy: "The club is fully committed to a high-quality first-team squad based on solid financial foundations that will challenge at the top end of the Premier League and in the cup competitions," it said. "This is mirrored by the efforts being made off the field, with the club not only investing in playing personnel but dedicating significant resources to support staff around the squad and also the new training ground project. These investments will make major contributions to the long-term future of the club."

It continued: "As stated before and during the close-season, our intention was always to hone the size of the playing staff with several key performers returning to fitness and the emergence of homegrown talent. This has now been achieved with seven players sold or released and four recruited. Along with the importance of adding quality new signings with bright futures, a key aim has been to secure important players on long-term contracts.