Alan Curbishley has been a solid reputation for being one of the best and unparalleled managers in English Football. Alan Curbishley, Llewellyn Charles Curbishley, was born on November 8th, 1957 in Forest Gate, London, United Kingdom. Alan Curbishley is a former professional footballer, and is now the manager of West Ham United. Alan Curbishley began his football career, in his younger years with West Ham United when he joined the club as an apprentice in the summer of 1974. In August 1974, following an injury, Alan Curbishley was named as a substitute against Everton at the age of sixteen, making him the youngest West Ham United player to be named on a team sheet, without playing. In March 1975, Alan Curbishley made his first team debut in a 1-0 defeat against Chelsea. In October 1975, Alan replaced Trevor Brooking in the starting line, and went on to win his first win in the club when the first goal came in a 2-1 home win over Newcastle. Alan Curbishley made a total of two league an cup appearances in 1974/75, another eighteen appearances in 1975/76, and twelve appearances in 1976/77, and finally thirty-six appearances in 1977/78. In 1990, after many transfers and coach/management changes, Alan Curbishley returned to Charlton as a player and coach under manager Lennie Lawrence – and would stay there for another sixteen years.
In 1991, Alan Curbishley became the manager of the Charlton Athletic club in a joint managerial with Steve Gritt. In 1995, Alan Curbishley took the full reigns and revived the club with 2 promotions and a consolidation into the Premier League. Alan Curbishley gained a notorious reputation for signing on excellent players for lower paid contracts such as, John Robinson, Mark Kinsella, Chris Powell, Dean Kiely, Danny Mills, Andy Hunt, and Darrent Bent. Furthermore, Alan Curbishley proved his ability to bring younger players to the higher ranks, these players included, Lee Bowyer, Richard Rufus, Scott Parker and Paul Konchesky. Alan Curbishley was named as one of the favourites to succeed Sven-Göran Eriksson after the media announced that Eriksson would step down as the English Manager after the 2006 FIFA World Cup. After being interviewd for the position, the position went to Steve McClaren. In April 2006, Alan Curbishley announced that he was leaving the club at the end of season 2005/2006, and later denied his leaving with anything to do with being interviewed for the post of English manager. Alan Curbishley managed his 729th final game as Manager of Charlton Club on May 7th, 2006 when Charlton lost 4-0.
In December 2006, Alan Curbishley returned to his management post and was appointed the manager of West Ham United. Alan Curbishley led West Ham United to seven wins (out of nine games), including a 1-0 win at Manchester United which was enough to keep West Ham United in the Premiership League.
