looked as if the team might make a real impact and five successive wins in early 2003 elevated the side to sixth, although defeat by Arsenal started a run of eight defeats in the last 10 games for a 12th-place finish. Charlton did so well in 2003–04 that they even threatened to claim a Champions League slot for a large part of the campaign; this eventually resulted in a 7th-place finish by the end of the season. Curbishley continued to mastermind their consolidation over the next two seasons with 11th- and 13th-place finishes. During the 2005–06 season, he also celebrated his 600th game in charge of the team with a 1–0 victory at one of his old clubs, Birmingham, in September 2005. Darren Bent scored the goal. Throughout his time at Charlton, Curbishley was frequently linked with higher-profile managerial positions. In 2004, he was one of the main candidates to become manager of Liverpool; reportedly being the favoured choice of club captain Steven Gerrard, amongst others. Two years later, he was one of several candidates interviewed by the Football Association for the vacant position of England manager. Former England manager Sir Bobby Robson described Curbishley as being "the best equipped [candidate] to deal with the pressures of running a top international side." The post, however, eventually went to Steve McClaren. After declining to extend his contract with Charlton, Curbishley agreed to leave the club at the end of the 2005–06 season. He received a standing ovation from the Charlton supporters in his final home match in charge against Blackburn Rovers. Curbishley managed his final game as manager of Charlton away to Manchester United on 7 May 2006, which Charlton lost 4–0. Overall, he managed 729 games for the Addicks, just one fewer than the record held by Jimmy Seed. Curbishley continues to be regarded as one of Charlton's greatest ever players and managers. On 9 April 2021, Charlton announced that, from the start of the 2021/22 season, the East Stand at the Valley would be renamed the 'Alan Curbishley Stand' in celebration of the 30th anniversary of Curbishley taking charge of the club as manager. West Ham United After a short spell away from management, during which he worked as a television pundit, Curbishley was appointed as manager of West Ham United in December 2006. After looking certain for relegation, Curbishley led West Ham to seven wins out of their