Following on from Hugh`s report this morning, it now appears that Rafa Benitez is “ready” to take over as West Ham manager if the club decide to sack David Moyes.

The Daily Mail reports our increasingly ashen faced Supremo has been handed a stay of execution despite our loss against the Spuds over the weekend.

The Daily Mail claim that Benitez, 62, fancies the job. The former Everton boss, who guided Liverpool to Champions League victory in 2005, wants a long-term deal but the Hammers are only willing to offer him an 18-month contract.

Known for his ultra-defensive approach, Benitez has a reputation as an astute tactician. He has also got a good reputation for nurturing young talents, something that the present incumbent appears to have forgotten about.

However, the truth is that both he and Bielsa want long term deals if they are going to accept the job and as we reported neither are particularly wanted by the Hammers board and are clearly to old in our view anyway.