Pardew, who is half-way through a three-year deal, has made clear he has no intention of resigning.Despite their financial and sporting plight West Ham believe they are in an attractive position having taken hard decisions, such as the sale of Joe Cole, when they were relegated from the Premiership two seasons ago. Patience has been exhausted not just by the team’s results but in their poor performances as well even if the they recognise the hard work Pardew has undoubtedly put in and the successful reorganisation of the club. He will also have to consider if a better opportunity is likely to come this summer – especially as Manchester City have not included him on their shortlist and are likely to stay with Stuart Pearce or approach Crystal Palace’s Iain Dowie. At the same time Strachan has enjoyed his year off and his burgeoning media career and may decide to stay away from management altogether.

However, he could be attracted to the idea of rebuilding a club such as West Ham and taking them back to the Premiership.Strachan would undoubtedly be a popular appointment and the West Ham board are keen to appease fans frustrated by Pardew’s failure, so far, to deliver promotion since his arrival in October 2003 following a protracted departure from Reading. And that is before any money for team-building is accounted for. They insist that no offer has been received and dismiss claims over the weekend by former player Tony Cottee that he is heading a viable consortium.However, there is long-standing interest from millionaire racehorse-owner Michael Tabor, which may be reactivated, and the Birmingham City director David Sullivan although both men would balk at the present asking price. One interested part – and there is believed to be another unnamed potential bidder in the background – has also already spoken to Strachan.The former Southampton manager has made no secret of his desire to return to management, and was interviewed for the Scotland post, but only if he receives the right offer. That figure would have to be factored into any takeover bid with club sources indicating that a further £25m would be needed to buy out the shareholders, including the chairman and majority shareholder, Terence Brown. He will be concerned at taking over at a club with debts of £33m. At the same time, in an article he wrote, we have Mourinho saying he was the one who saw it.

There is a contradiction between the two statements.”What we do know from the reports from the referee and the venue director is that Mr Mourinho came out of the Chelsea dressing-room and shouted in a quite aggressive way at Anders Frisk: “Can I also come into your dressing-room!”"Our assessment is that the situation that was generated by the Barcelona incident was quite grave for the future of football.”William Gaillard, Uefa’s director of communications. Gordon Strachan is wanted as manager of West Ham United by both the current board and an unnamed consortium bidding to take control of the Championship club. They are not believed to be considering any other candidates at present.Strachan, who has already turned down offers from several Premiership clubs, including Portsmouth, is understood to be undecided about accepting the job. The 48-year-old Scot has received approaches from both parties and a decision is due to be made in the next few days. I am also curious about what the Chelsea declaration will be It is not good behaviour after a match I was present and I have seen no incident. This is not the correct way to behave.”27 FebruaryJose Mourinho is quoted as saying: “When I saw Rijkaard entering the referee’s dressing-room I couldn’t believe it.

When Drogba was sent off I didn’t get surprised.”Yesterday”I can categorically state that this [the alleged meeting between Barcelona manager Rijkaard and referee Frisk] did not happen. In one statement by Chelsea we have two officials – not including Mourinho – saying they have seen it which we know is not possible from where they were, they could not have seen it. I said something about the game in a very polite and informal way to the referee, so the reaction of some of the Chelsea side was a little bit exaggerated. It is not true that the referee went into our dressing-room and I am glad this rumour has come out because now it seems even more ridiculous to me.”Maybe they want to start something and make it worse than it is. More than half of his life has been spent refereeing.”But he wants to spend more time with his children.