Premier League managers often scan for the chance to take high-profile jobs as soon as possible for fear of not getting the same opportunity, but Alan Curbishley has explained why he has stood by Charlton throughout his career.
Speculation linked Curbishley with Liverpool at various points for 15 years Charltonwhile he also conducted interviews for England job in 2006 when it became clear that Sven-Goran Eriksson would leave after World Cup.
West HamHowever, he made Curbishley independent of the bid in 2001 and the hammerheads want him to replace the departing Harry Redknapp. For the East London native, staying in the valley where he felt comfortable made more sense, so he rejected their advances.
Alan Curbishley decided against West Ham Move
“There was a lot of noise in Liverpool. West Ham also came for me when Harry Redknapp left,” Curbishley reveals Fourfourtwo. “But I was at Charlton State where I was responsible for the whole football club.
“To be honest, I didn’t think I was ready – I felt I needed more experience before committing to a bigger club. That’s what finally happened when West Ham came for the second time after I had left Charlton and I jumped at the opportunity. “
Indeed, West Ham finally got their man five years after initially trying to lure him away from Charlton, with Curbishley helping to keep them in the Premier League against all odds in 2006/07. However, he had already left the Addicks when he signed for the Hammers, leaving at the end of 2005/06 after 15 years with the club.
During this time he helped Charlton to Premier League In 1998/99 and although they were immediately relegated, he kept the faith of the board and restored the club for the first time, winning the First Division (now the Championship) with 91 points.
Curbishley then helped them survive six seasons in the Premier League before his departure; A year later they were relegated to Championshipwith the club he has not yet returned to the top flight.
“My contract was a year old and I had just interviewed for a job in England,” Curbishley explains of his exit. “I wanted the deal to end to see where we all were in the summer. Other clubs were sniffing. Eventually the split was agreed upon and I had great feedback from the fans and directors of Tam.”
