Glenn has been a coach at the Club for two years and was on Glenn Hoddle's staff when he took England to the World Cup finals in France in 1998. He has also worked with many of the game's top coaches, including Terry Venables.
Glenn took over as caretaker manager for the last match of the 2000-01 season at Middlesbrough following Harry Redknapp's departure.
Says Glenn: "Being a local lad, I always followed the Hammers as a lad and hoped that one day I would be involved with the Club. When Harry Redknapp brought me in to join the coaching staff I never dreamed that I would be his successor.
"I know many supporters expected a bigger name to take over and I realise the huge responsibility that goes with the job, but I am ready to embrace the task ahead. This is a very proud day for me."
Managing Director Paul Aldridge said: "We have already put on record the Board's thanks to Harry Redknapp for all that he did for the Club, but now we have to move on into a new era.
"We are delighted to give one of the game's most respected young coaches the opportunity to take the team forward.
"Of course there were other candidates in the frame, but we were very impressed with the ideas Glenn put forward and his strategy for developing all areas of coaching, discipline, advanced fitness training and even a sports psychology programme similar to those being used by other top Premiership clubs.
"There will be substantial money made available for Glenn to spend on new players. We also plan to announce important additional changes to the managerial and coaching staff shortly.
"The Board wish Glenn every success and look forward to an exciting season ahead."
*An exclusive interview with Glenn Roeder will appear on the website at 9.00am.
PRESS INVITATION
All written, TV, radio journalists and Press photographers are
welcome to meet Glenn Roeder at the Boleyn Ground at 12.00noon
today, Thursday 14th June. Please report to the Bobby Moore Stand
Reception, which is situated off Priory Road.
For further information contact the West Ham United Press Officer
Peter Stewart on 020 8548 2763.
Factfile on Glenn Roeder
Born: 13th December 1955, Woodford, Essex
Position: Defender/Midfielder
Attended Langton Junior School and Dury Falls Senior School in
Hornchurch, Essex.
Joined Arsenal as a 13-year-old during which time he represented
London Boys Under-16s against Birmingham Boys. Would have won more
honours as a schoolboy but was always regarded as too small at 7st.
and 5ft.2ins.
Joined Leyton Orient in 1971 as a 16-year-old apprentice
professional. Spent five years at Orient before being transferred
to Queens Park Rangers for £250,000 in 1976 on the
recommendation of John Hollins.
Stayed at QPR, which included playing in the 1982 FA Cup Final v
Tottenham Hotspur, until 1983 when transferred to Newcastle United
for £150,000. After six years at St. James' Park, Glenn
moved to Watford on a free transfer in 1989. He then moved back to
Leyton Orient for six months before being appointed player-manager
of Gillingham in 1992.
Saved them from relegation from the Third Division before leaving
the Gills to return to First Division Watford in 1993 as manager
when Steve Perryman left to join the managerial team at Spurs.
Despite huge financial and injury problems at Vicarage Road,
Watford narrowly missed the play-offs. During his time at Watford,
Glenn made a profit of £5.4million on transfer dealings, and
signed non-league striker Kevin Phillips for £10,000. He later
went on to become a Sunderland and England star.
Glenn was dismissed by Watford in February 1996 but a few weeks
later joined Glenn Hoddle's England backroom staff as a coach
and scout.
When Hoddle left the England set-up in February 1999, Glenn was
invited by Harry Redknapp to join the West Ham United coaching
staff the same week.
League Appearances:
Leyton Orient 115 apps 4 goals
QPR 157 apps 17 goals
Notts County (loan) 4 apps
Newcastle United 193 apps 8 goals
Watford 45 apps 1 goal.
Total 514 league apps 30 goals
Seven England 'B' caps.
Glenn was captain of every club he played for.
What they said about Glenn...
West Ham United midfielder Joe Cole
"Both Michael Carrick and I were very impressed when he took
over as caretaker-boss just before the last match of the season at
Middlesbrough. He's probably one of the top three coaches
I've ever worked with, and I'm including the likes of Peter
Taylor, Howard Wilkinson, Kevin Keegan and Steve McClaren.
Glenn's very similar in many ways to Steve McClaren who worked
with Michael and I in the England squad. Like him, Glenn is a great
student of the game and enjoys working with players. I'm sure
he will do a good job for the Hammers. He knows all the players and
as I've said knows his football inside out. We work with him
every day and know what he is capable of. All I can say to our
supporters is get behind Glenn and give him a chance."
England coach Ray Clemence
"I had the privilege of working with Glenn Roeder when Hoddle
was in charge of the England team. He is totally honest, completely
dedicated to the game and an excellent coach. In fact, I'd go
as far as saying there are few coaches anywhere with the knowledge
and expertise Glenn has learned. For several years he has studied
all aspects of coaching from around the world - Italy, Spain,
Germany and South America. Not only has he read the manuals, but
also he has watched some of the world's leading coaches in
action and studied and documented their methods. Ask any of the
England players he worked with and they'll tell you Glenn put
on some very good sessions, introducing some very innovative and
exciting ideas. I wish him well at West Ham United. With the right
back up team
to support him, I'm sure Glenn will do a good job for West Ham.
I certainly wish him well and hope that one day Sven Goran Eriksson
brings him back into the England set-up."
Former West Ham United striker Clive Allen
"I roomed with Glenn for four years when we were team-mates at
Queens Park Rangers. With Mike Flanagan, another member of the side
at the time, we travelled from our homes in Hornchurch, Essex to
West London and back every day and became known as 'The Essex
Brigade.' As a player Glenn was excellent on the ball, a
cultured centre-half during the days when defenders weren't
classed as footballers. Glenn was nicknamed 'Tricky Dickie One
Step' because a favourite move was to step over the ball when
faced by an opponent and generally leave him stranded. He never
looked hurried, always calm and collected - a real footballer.
During those days QPR played on a plastic pitch, which was the
perfect surface for someone as skilful and well balanced as Glenn.
Appointing Glenn is a bold move by the Hammers, but he is a
cultured, well disciplined young manager who fully deserves this
great opportunity. You can be sure of one thing, no one will give
more to the Club than Glenn. I wish him well."
Hammers legend Trevor Brooking
"It would be wrong to judge Glenn on pure statistics. The fans
have been campaigning for a high profile boss, but where are
they? There are also many examples of top quality players who
failed to make the transition into management and many examples of
young former professionals like Glenn who have emerged as
successful coaches and managers. He's a well-respected coach
and knows the players at West Ham. Glenn is also hungry for
success, and you know what they say about hungry fighters. I'm
glad he's got the chance."
Former Hammers defender Tony Gale
"Glenn has had experience managing in the lower leagues with
Gillingham and Watford and must have thought that his chance of
taking over a big club had passed him by. This is a brave decision
by West Ham United, who have obviously appointed Glenn for his vast
coaching and organisational abilities. He certainly knows players
and what makes them tick and I am sure he has the necessary ability
to handle the star players at the Club. Glenn must be relishing
this golden opportunity to work with some real quality players and
superb youngsters coming through the ranks at Upton Park. Good luck
to him."