West Ham United have confirmed the news that they have sensationally parted company with their manager Harry Redknapp.
Redknapp's shock departure comes just a week before the end of the season after The Hammers secured their Premiership status with a 3-0 win over Southampton.
It has been a difficult season for the East End club, who sold defender Rio Ferdinand to Leeds United for a British transfer record £18 million.
Redknapp had been at Upton Park for seven years and had helped develop a number of promising young players at the club, including Ferdinand, Joe Cole, Frank Lampard and Michael Carrick.
He told the club's official website: "The last eight weeks of or so of the season haven't been particularly enjoyable and I just felt it's maybe time for a change."
"I've had a chat with the chairman and just feel that it's been a tough season."
"I would like to thank the chairman and the board for all the support they've given me since I've been at the club."
LMA Chief Executive John Barnwell issued the following statement soon after the news was announced:
"Obviously this appears to have been a resignation of convenience with Harry having two years of his contract left to run. It would have to be something very severe for a manager to resign in these circumstances but we are not aware of what that might possibly be.
"Harry is recognised as one of our senior members having been in charge of West Ham for seven years and has an excellent record of coaching and managing at the club.
"He epitomised everything about West Ham's academy and philosophy that was set up by Ron Greenwood and continued by John Lyall and his departure is sure to have a huge effect on both himself and on the club.
"He will be a very hard act to follow."
Speculation has already begun as to who will become Redknapp's successor and only the ninth manager of the club since it's origin at the turn of the century.
Redknapp's long-serving assistant Frank Lampard Senior, father of the club's young midfield star (Frank Lampard Jnr.)has also left the club.
This season was the first time The Hammers had failed to finish in the top 10 in the Premiership for four seasons and they could equal their lowest ever Premiership finish if they do not win on the final day of the season.
Only three managers have been in charge of more Premiership matches than Redknapp, Sir Alex Ferguson, George Graham and Joe Kinnear, and Redknapp was the second longest serving manager in the top flight behind the Old Trafford boss.
Click here to see managers/profile//20/Harry%20Redknapp.htmlHarry Redknapp's Profile.
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