Eggert Magnusson has restated his belief that West Ham United's
future lies away from Upton Park, as discussions continue about a
potential move to the Olympic Stadium.
The Hammers' Icelandic chairman is keen to move the London club to
a new home in the coming years and has taken a keen interest in the
planned Olympic Stadium which will become vacant following the
London games in 2012.
Magnusson first held talks with London mayor Ken Livingstone and
Olympics minister Tessa Jowell back in November, but any deal may
be tricky to arrange, not least because the stadium must provide an
athletics legacy beyond the games.
The Olympic site remains Magnusson's preferred option, but if
nothing can be arranged, then the Hammers supremo will still
endeavour to move the club to a suitable venue.
"We are in discussion with Olympic authorities regarding the 2012
stadium," Magnusson told the London Evening Standard.
"It will be difficult, but if that is not going to happen, we will
go somewhere else."
West Ham's immediate focus remains their fight against relegation,
and manager Alan Curbishley is hoping that a win against Watford in
the FA Cup on Saturday will give his side a timely boost.
"West Ham fans realise more than most what a cup run can do. It
galvanised the club last year when they reached the final," said
Curbishley.
"We need to start getting points in the league and we are hoping
the FA Cup will become part of the process.
"The win over Brighton in the last round gave us a lift. It came on
the back of the Reading game (which West Ham lost 6-0) - we needed
to bounce back.
"We have picked up a bit in the last three games, scored a few
goals and we are looking forward to that continuing tomorrow."