West Ham United will begin their Championship campaign away at Burnley in mid-August and they have been offered an early boost ahead of that game.
As it stands, the two look like early favourites for next season’s Championship title.
While a lot could change on that front when the transfer market gets into full swing, relegated Premier League teams are generally seen as the likeliest to go back up before a ball is kicked in the campaign.
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Turf Moor is a tough start…
As such, on paper at least, a trip to Turf Moor looks like the most difficult task West Ham could possibly have to start their season in the second tier.
Still, the managerial chaos unfolding at Burnley could play right into their hands.
Burnley fail to appoint Craig Bellamy or Rob Edwards
Earlier this month, it looked as if Wales manager Craig Bellamy – a former West Ham forward of course – was set to replace Scott Parker as Burnley manager.
That move, however, collapsed and the Lancashire club have also seen another move backfire.
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Indeed, according to talkSPORT’s Alex Crook, they have failed in a move to appoint former Wolves and Middlesbrough coach Rob Edwards as their new manager.
Crook adds that the Burnley players are soon to return to training but still have no new manager to plan for the new season.
That has to be seen as good news for West Ham, who moved quickly to ensure that Nuno Espirito Santo would be staying put here in east London.
West Ham have an ambitious target to get promoted straight away and the fact one of their major rivals are struggling to even get a new manager through the door has to be seen as a positive.
The longer the Clarets go without a manager, the better it will be for West Ham.
Not many would suggest that West Ham are a fine example of a stable club, but the struggles Burnley are enduring are in stark contrast to the decisive nature of action taken in the corridors of power here in east London.
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