West Ham United sacked manager Alan Pardew yesterday after a poor run of results left the club third from bottom in the Premier League.

A club statement said Icelandic chairman Eggert Magnusson and the board "had been concerned by the performances in recent weeks and felt it is the right time to make a change".

Pardew replaced Glenn Roeder in October 2003 after an acrimonious split from Reading. He steered West Ham to ninth place in the Premier League and the FA Cup final last season, having secured promotion via the playoffs in 2005.

Their second season back in the top flight has proved a huge disappointment, however, and Saturday's 4-0 thumping at Bolton Wanderers was their fifth defeat in six league games, leaving them two points adrift of the safety zone.

Earlier in the season West Ham lost eight matches in a row in all competitions, a run that included an early exit from the UEFA Cup before the group stages and a humiliating League Cup defeat by third division Chesterfield.

"Alan has made an important contribution since joining as manager in September 2003 but this season's results have been disappointing and have left the club in a very difficult position," the club statement said.

"The search for a successor is now under way in order that a new manager can be in place for the January transfer window."

Former Charlton Athletic manager Alan Curbishley, who had a distinguished career with West Ham in the 1970s, has been installed as favourite to replace Pardew.

First team coach Kevin Keen has been placed in temporary charge of team affairs.

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