Roeder has no bitterness towards ruthless Hammers

Glenn Roeder, sacked as West Ham United manager, bears no grudges against his former employers who booted him out four games after returning from brain surgery.

Roeder collapsed with chest pains and was admitted to hospital on April 21, after a match during the Hammers' unsuccessful relegation fight and a missile was hurled through his daughter's bedroom window that morning.

He suffered a blocked blood vessel in the brain and recovered from surgery to return to Upton Park, but the club sacked him after an indifferent start in the first division.

"I couldn't have done anything about that decision, it was completely out of my hands," Roeder told the BBC on Friday.

"As far as I'm concerned I'm not a person who bears grudges - I'm not a bitter person. I'm still very positive to the club in terms of what's going to happen this season.

"I firmly believe if I had been allowed to stay I would have won promotion back to the Premiership this year.

"I'm as confident as I can be that West Ham will be successful this season and return to the Premiership.

"I would definitely recommend the job to anyone."

Upton Park legend Trevor Brooking has stepped in as caretaker boss again, as he did while Roeder recovered from surgery, while the club seek a replacement.

"Having Trevor on the board is very useful because he has such great knowledge of football. He may be the best person for the job even though he says he doesn't want it," said Roeder.

But he blasted claims he had lost the confidence of his players.

"As far as I'm concerned that's complete rubbish. Obviously any manager can't make every player happy and there were one or two players who perhaps don't feel that good towards me."