Good times at West Ham.

WEST Ham maintain there are positive times ahead at Upton Park - despite the resignation and stinging criticism of manager Alan Curbishley.

The Hammers will now begin the search for a fifth manager in seven years - with former defender Slaven Bilic, the Croatia coach, said to top the board's shortlist.

The position of Curbishley - appointed in December 2006 - had been under intense scrutiny for some time, although West Ham had opened the new campaign with two wins from three Premier League matches, which went some way to placating the club's supporters.

Hammers chairman and owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson maintains the London club are heading in the right direction.

"In my first full season as chairman of this great football club, I can assure our loyal supporters that we are working hard to bring sustained success to West Ham United," he said "Everyone, including the chief executive and board, is committed to this common goal.

"We have a long-term strategy that takes into account all aspects of West Ham United's past, present and future and we will not be deterred.

"Our fans can look forward to many positive years on and off the pitch."

Meanwhile, Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has praised Curbishley for "sticking to his principles" - and insisted there is no way he would return to the West Ham hot seat as his successor.

He said: "Alan Curbishley may have gone as West Ham boss - but there's no way I'll replace him.

"Curbs quit because he feels he has been undermined and shown a lack of trust by the owner.

I take my hat off to him for sticking to his principles.

"Don't get me wrong, West Ham is a fantastic club with fantastic fans and, having gone there aged 15, it has a special place in my heart.

"But I love it at Portsmouth and I have one big advantage over a lot of Premier League bosses these days - I've got an owner who lets the manager manage.

"The days of managing as I know it are coming to end - you will basically be given players and told to get on with it," he added.