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Jurgen Klopp has turned down an audacious approach from West Ham - but Sam Allardyce is still set to be axed at the end of the season.

Klopp, who quit Borussia Dortmund last week, is understood to have been approached by the Hammers shortly afterwards.

The two-time German title winner and Champions League finalist, however, made it clear that he wants to wait for an opportunity at a European club.

Klopp was seen as the dream head coach to lead the Hammers out of the Boleyn next year and into their brand new era at the Olympic Stadium.

His decision to reject the east Londoners, who were well aware that they had only an outside chance of landing him, has not altered the position regarding Allardyce.

(Image: Lars Baron)

Big Sam remains set for the exit door at Upton Park because of his inability to arrest West Ham’s run of just one win from their last 11 League games.

The club would have been prepared to keep him had results and performances been better over that period.

There are also concerns that the players are no longer performing for Allardyce - despite their public claims that they want him to stay - following of the uncertainty surrounding his position.

West Ham’s players are on a bonus of £300,000 per League position to be shared around the 25-man squad. Allardyce also has a substantial financial incentive but has seen his side lose six and draw four of their last 11 matches.

Allardyce’s decision to play forward Enner Valencia on the left in Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Manchester City has not gone down well with fans. Nor has his refusal to deploy Stewart Downing in the position behind the strikers where he excelled earlier this season.

In pictures: Man City 2-0 West Ham

Brazilian striker Nene, signed on a free transfer in February after Andy Carroll was ruled out for the season, is upset at not receiving a single start even though Diafra Sakho has since been sidelined.

And there are concerns that the club’s plunge down the table could work against them when they try again for ambitious moves in the transfer market this summer.

There is not yet a firm candidate to succeed Allardyce as the club’s initial target, David Moyes, has indicated he would prefer to stay in Spain with Real Sociedad.

Rafa Benitez is back in the frame. The former Liverpool boss, currently at Napoli, is keen to return to England and although his first preference is for a club in Europe the Hammers would be ready to back him with substantial funds in a bid to make that leap.

Other names in the frame include the Marseille coach Marcelo Bielsa while there is admiration for promotion-chasing Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe but fears that he may currently be too inexperienced.