Sam Allardyce was today emerging as the new favourite to become West Ham manager.
Allardyce, 57, was always on West Ham's list of potential candidates, along with Martin O'Neill and Norwich boss Paul Lambert.
Allardyce has been out of work since December, when he was sacked by Blackburn, but he still commands a great deal of respect within the English game as one of the best and most innovative managers.
O'Neill remains in the frame for the Upton Park job but may prefer to wait for an opportunity in the Premier League, while Lambert now looks likely to stay at Carrow Road.
It is understood, though, that West Ham's co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan are still some way away from making a final decision as they consider other candidates, including Dave Jones, should he leave Cardiff, Watford's Malky Mackay, former Hammers manager Alan Curbishley and Hull's Nigel Pearson.
The club hope to make an appointment within two weeks so that the new man can begin the process of re-shaping the playing squad in preparation for life in the Championship.
