What's the story?

After winning just four of their 17 Premier League games and lying 18th in the table, West Ham made the decision to part company with manager Alan Pardew. The call to dismiss Pardew was taken by the club's new chairman Eggert Magnusson.

West Ham installed first-team coach Kevin Keen as caretaker manager and said they would seek to appoint a successor before the January transfer window.

West Ham said in a statement:

"West Ham United have today announced the departure from the club of Alan Pardew. "Alan has made an important contribution since joining as manager in September 2003 but this season's results have been disappointing and have left the club in a very difficult position."

What happened next?

Former West Ham player Alan Curbishley took over the helm and won his first match in charge against Manchester United 1-0. The honeymoon period didn't last long as they went on to draw with fellow relegation strugglers Fulham and were crushed 6-0 at newly promoted Reading. They were also knocked out of the FA Cup by Watford who were bottom of the league.