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Rafa Benitez has emerged as the new odds-on favourite to replace Sam Allardyce as West Ham boss.
Allardyce’s final game in charge after four largely successful seasons in east London could well be at relegation-threatened Newcastle next Sunday.
“We now have to reach that 50-point mark and hope it gets us to 10th place,” said Allardyce. “Even if it doesn’t though, it’s still been an outstanding season and an outstanding three years back in the Premier League during which time I’ve only had to worry about relegation for about six weeks.
“I’d like to stay but that depends on a lot of anomalies in terms of negotiation.
“I’ve never heard any of the board say they want to get rid of me but I’ll find out next week, won’t I? If they do, I can then ask them why and see if they’ll give me an honest answer.”
West Ham could qualify for next season’s Europa League via the Fair Play league but midfielder Mark Noble has warned they will need to invest in the squad to cope with the increased workload.
How West Ham’s signings have fared this season
“We’re going to have to improve the squad if we are in the Europa League and hopefully we can compete,” said Noble. “Next season’s probably the biggest season in the club’s history, because we have to be in the Premier League for the new Stadium.”
