 With several names , such as former player Alan Curbishley , now linked with the job , Chairman Brown recruited from within the club , appointing reserve team coach Glenn Roeder as manager on 9 May 2001 . He had already failed in management with Gillingham , where he lost 22 of the 35 games he managed , and Watford . His first big signings were the return of Don Hutchison for £ 5 million and Czech centre back Tomáš Řepka . Finishing 7th in his first season Roeder , in his office at Upton Park , suffered a blocked blood vessel in his brain . Now needing medical help and recuperation , former stalwart Trevor Brooking stood in as caretaker manager . Despite not losing another game , the Hammers were relegated on the last day of the season at Birmingham City with a record for a relegated club of 42 points . Ten seasons of top tier football were over . Many top players including Joe Cole , Di Canio and Kanoute all left the club . 
