Alan Curbishley has resigned as West Ham manager, the Premier League club confirmed on Wednesday.

Curbishley's decision to quit was apparently triggered by the departures of Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney to Sunderland just before the transfer deadline.

He had wanted to keep both defenders but the club's board allowed the sales to go through. Curbishley responded by tendering his resignation on Wednesday and it was immediately accepted by West Ham owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson.

A club statement said: "We can confirm that we have accepted Alan Curbishley's resignation as we feel it is in the best interests of both parties.

"We wish Alan all the success in the future. A shortlist of candidates is being drawn up and an announcement will be made in due course about the new West Ham United manager."

Despite being under heavy pressure from fans unhappy with the club's mediocre performances last season, Curbishley, who took charge at Upton Park in December 2006, led West Ham to two wins from their first three matches, including a 4-1 success against Blackburn on Saturday, but his lack of control over transfers appears to have proved the final straw.

Curbishley had initially been allowed to go on a lavish spending spree when he took charge at the east London club. But West Ham's Icelandic owners had hired Italian technical director Gianluca Nani to oversee the club's transfers in March.

Since then a host of first teamers including Ferdinand, McCartney, Freddie Ljungberg, Nolberto Solano and Bobby Zamora have all left, while Swiss international Valon Behrami was the only high-profile arrival, as the Hammers tried to slash their wage bill.

Just hours before Curbishley's departure was announced, the Hammers board had released a statement justifying their position with regards to their transfer policy.

"As stated before and during the close season, our intention was always to hone the size of the playing staff with several key performers returning to fitness and the emergence of homegrown talent," the statement read.

"Along with the importance of adding quality new signings with bright futures, a key aim has been to secure important players on long-term contracts.

"However, in particular, the transfers of Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney along with the release of Freddie Ljungberg were right for the club and decisions had to be taken based on our best long-term interests.

"In the past week, agreement could not be reached with Ferdinand on a new contract to replace his original deal that had just two years left to run while McCartney handed in a formal written transfer request after failing to resolve his personal reasons for wanting a move away."

Gudmundsson added: "In my first full season as chairman I can assure supporters we are working hard to bring sustained success to West Ham United.

"We have a long-term strategy that takes into account all aspects of West Ham United's past, present and future and we will not be deterred."

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic, a former West Ham player, is the early favourite to replace Curbishley.

AFP