Football: Bonds resigns over reshuffle: Redknapp takes over at West Ham as Greeks seize control in European Cup tie
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.BILLY BONDS severed a 27- year association with West Ham yesterday after claiming that the club wanted to 'reshuffle the pack' and replace him with his assistant, Harry Redknapp, offering Bonds a paid directorship.
'I declined that job because I still feel that I have something to offer as a manager,' Bonds said in a statement last night. 'I feel my record at the club has been good, and I leave them better off than when I started as a manager.'
Bonds' version of affairs just 10 days before the start of the new Premiership season is entirely different to that of the club, whose chairman, Peter Storrie, said: 'It was not a case of the club taking the managership away from Bill. He had decided to call it a day. He fully supports the appointment of Harry Redknapp.
West Ham were under threat of losing Redknapp, whom they value highly, to Bournemouth, his previous club, who had offered him the position of manager in succession to Tony Pulis, sacked last week, and also a seat on the board. That invitation was due to expire yesterday.
'We did everything possible to keep him. If Harry had gone to Bournemouth there was a good chance that Bill would have resigned anyway, so we were in a no-win situation.
'There is no ill feeling between Bill and the club. We are all sad that he is going. It is a big blow, but it is time to move on, and we believe we have appointed a great manager.'
Bonds agreed, at least, that there was no hard feelings. 'I wish Harry all the best.' He intends to take a couple of months off and then return to the game. 'I will be looking for something. I'm only 47 and I still think I've got plenty to offer the game.'
Describing Bonds as 'one of the all-time greats', the West Ham board said it would pay up the remainder of his contract, which has three years to run, in full.
Bonds, who played well into his 40s for the club, notched up a record 794 appearances and collected two FA Cup winners' medals as well as an MBE.
Newcastle have confirmed the signing of the Belgium defender, Philippe Albert, from Anderlecht for pounds 2.65m on a four-year contract.
(Photograph omitted)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments