 In 1999 , West Ham finished fifth , their highest position in the top flight since 1986 . They also won the Intertoto Cup beating French club Metz to qualify for the 1999 – 2000 UEFA Cup . Things began to falter for Redknapp with the sale for £ 18 million to Leeds United of Rio Ferdinand in November 2000 . Redknapp used the transfer money poorly with purchases such as Ragnvald Soma , who cost £ 800 @,@ 000 and played only seven league games , Camera and Song . Redknapp felt he needed more funds with which to deal in the transfer market . Chairman Brown lost patience with Redknapp due to his demands for further transfer funds . In June 2001 , called to a meeting with Brown expecting to discuss contracts , he was fired . His assistant Frank Lampard left too , making the sale of his son Frank Lampard , Jr . , inevitable ; in the summer of 2001 , he joined Chelsea for £ 11 million . 
