Chairman Eggert Magnusson has given Alan Curbishley six weeks to
establish West Ham as European contenders - or face the sack.
The Hammers boss got a final vote of confidence yesterday when he
took his spending at the club to £49m since January after agreeing
a £7m deal for Kieron Dyer.
But after a horrible home defeat to Manchester City last weekend,
Curbishley showed he is feeling the pressure when he accused Paul
Konchesky of being "bitter and twisted" and having "no class" after
the left-back's criticism of his former boss.
Curbishley led West Ham to safety last season after a slow start. A
last-day victory at Old Trafford sealed the great escape.
But the West Ham board were unhappy that Darren Bent chose to move
to Tottenham from Charlton - Curbishley's old club - in the summer
for less money than West Ham were offering.
With Magnusson stating he wants Champions League football at Upton
Park within four years, the shambolic opening day showing was
unacceptable to the owners of the club.