Beautiful intentions

Former Hammers striker Iain Dowie has thrown his hat into the ring to become West Ham's next manager.

Dowie - whose sixth and most recent management position ended after just two months in 2010 when he led Hull City to relegation from the Premier League - told Sky Sports that he would be extremely interested should the club come calling.

"Anybody would be silly not to be interested in a club like West Ham," he said. "You never know if you will get that call or not, but I sense they may go for a slightly bigger name and look to make a statement. You would understand that and there is no problem with that.

"You always think you can add a bit of a difference and add a bit of value on the training ground. I always think it is important as a coach to develop players and I think my record is fairly good at that. We'll see; I've always said given the right opportunity that would be right."

Meanwhile former Hammers striker Teddy Sheringham revealed that he was backing temporary manager Kevin Keen to land the position full-time.

"He's a West Ham and he knows the club inside out," Sheringham told SSN. "He knows the regime of the club and how they should play. To carry on producing the football they're used to would be lovely to see again, so I'd give Kev a chance."

Current favourites to succeed Avram Grant on Betfair are Sam Allardyce, Martin O'Neill and Chris Hughton. The current favourite amongst supporters voting in a poll here on KUMB.com remains O'Neill, with Tony Carr in second place.