Teddy Sheringham has thanked West Ham United for giving him the opportunity to embark on what he hopes will be a successful managerial career
Teddy Sheringham has thanked West Ham United for giving him the opportunity to embark on what he hopes will be a long and successful managerial career.
The former England striker joined the Hammers in the newly-formed role of attacking coach last summer, charged with improving the squad’s performance in the final third of the pitch.
Working with the likes of Diafra Sakho, Enner Valencia, Stewart Downing and Andy Carroll, Sheringham’s influence played a role in West Ham’s outstanding opening half to the 2014/15 campaign.
After a few years out of the game, Sheringham’s season on the training pitch at Chadwell Heath also inspired him to take the next step in his career by agreeing to become manager of League Two club Stevenage this summer.
“It’s the next logical step for me,” the 49-year-old told whufc.com. “I said to the press on Thursday that coming to West Ham last year felt right and I’ve been involved. I’m not exactly a young coach, so it’s not as if I need four or five years in this role or to step up to be an assistant manager – I need to get out there and manage myself.
“This has just come out of the blue and it feels right. As much as West Ham felt right last year, this feels right to go and have another challenge.”
The former England striker joined the Hammers in the newly-formed role of attacking coach last summer, charged with improving the squad’s performance in the final third of the pitch.
Working with the likes of Diafra Sakho, Enner Valencia, Stewart Downing and Andy Carroll, Sheringham’s influence played a role in West Ham’s outstanding opening half to the 2014/15 campaign.
After a few years out of the game, Sheringham’s season on the training pitch at Chadwell Heath also inspired him to take the next step in his career by agreeing to become manager of League Two club Stevenage this summer.
“It’s the next logical step for me,” the 49-year-old told whufc.com. “I said to the press on Thursday that coming to West Ham last year felt right and I’ve been involved. I’m not exactly a young coach, so it’s not as if I need four or five years in this role or to step up to be an assistant manager – I need to get out there and manage myself.
“This has just come out of the blue and it feels right. As much as West Ham felt right last year, this feels right to go and have another challenge.”
Without a doubt, the chance that Sam and West Ham has given me this season, money can’t buy.
After a period outside football following his retirement at the end of a glittering playing career, Sheringham was not 100 per cent sure he wanted to take on a full-time coaching role.
Now, after nine months working part-time as a member of Sam Allardyce’s backroom staff, he is fully committed to making a success of being a manager in his own right.
“Football is my first love,” he confirmed. “I was given a talent as a kid to play football and I did everything in my power to be as good as I could as a player, so football is in my blood. I am involved in the game and I want to be more involved, so I am going into League Two and we’ll see what happens.
“Without a doubt, the chance that Sam and West Ham has given me this season, money can’t buy. That sort of experience will be invaluable to me over the coming years as I carry on managing. I’ve been involved in the first team and been able to talk to players without barriers and I’ve been involved in every meeting I wanted to be involved in.
“It’s been a great experience I’ll be forever indebted to West Ham for that sort of involvement. For an inexperienced coach coming in, you normally have to work your way up to it, so Sam has done very well for me.”
Early in his time at West Ham, Sheringham identified Sakho as an outstanding talent, and the Senegal star has responded by scoring 12 goals in his debut season in English football.
With more hard work and better luck on the injury front, the former UEFA Champions League winner believes the No15 could become a special player.
“Without a doubt Diafra has done fantastic this season, but he can do better. You only have to look at his attitude because it is top-notch – he doesn’t want to lose in training, in games or his one-to-one battles. I fully expect him to do better next year, even though he has been exceptional this season.
“If I was going to be ultra-critical, he still needs to work on his left side and he’s not too old to do that. Having said that, he is still a top player with a top attitude and one to watch, without a doubt.”
While Sakho will not be one of them, Sheringham confirmed that he expects to retain close links with West Ham in his new job, by taking young Hammers on loan at Stevenage next season.
“Without a doubt there are one or two I have my eye on and hopefully something will come of that throughout next season. There are a few good ‘uns here!”
Now, after nine months working part-time as a member of Sam Allardyce’s backroom staff, he is fully committed to making a success of being a manager in his own right.
“Football is my first love,” he confirmed. “I was given a talent as a kid to play football and I did everything in my power to be as good as I could as a player, so football is in my blood. I am involved in the game and I want to be more involved, so I am going into League Two and we’ll see what happens.
“Without a doubt, the chance that Sam and West Ham has given me this season, money can’t buy. That sort of experience will be invaluable to me over the coming years as I carry on managing. I’ve been involved in the first team and been able to talk to players without barriers and I’ve been involved in every meeting I wanted to be involved in.
“It’s been a great experience I’ll be forever indebted to West Ham for that sort of involvement. For an inexperienced coach coming in, you normally have to work your way up to it, so Sam has done very well for me.”
Early in his time at West Ham, Sheringham identified Sakho as an outstanding talent, and the Senegal star has responded by scoring 12 goals in his debut season in English football.
With more hard work and better luck on the injury front, the former UEFA Champions League winner believes the No15 could become a special player.
“Without a doubt Diafra has done fantastic this season, but he can do better. You only have to look at his attitude because it is top-notch – he doesn’t want to lose in training, in games or his one-to-one battles. I fully expect him to do better next year, even though he has been exceptional this season.
“If I was going to be ultra-critical, he still needs to work on his left side and he’s not too old to do that. Having said that, he is still a top player with a top attitude and one to watch, without a doubt.”
While Sakho will not be one of them, Sheringham confirmed that he expects to retain close links with West Ham in his new job, by taking young Hammers on loan at Stevenage next season.
“Without a doubt there are one or two I have my eye on and hopefully something will come of that throughout next season. There are a few good ‘uns here!”