Keen realistic over Hammers job

Published May. 23, 2011 9:15 a.m. ET

foxsports

West Ham are looking for a new manager after sacking Avram Grant following the club's relegation from the Premier League. The long-serving Keen was placed in caretaker charge for Sunday's 3-0 home defeat by Sunderland and has expressed an interest to stay in the position full time. However, several more experienced managers have been linked with the vacancy and Keen is realistic about his chances of being appointed at Upton Park. "If I'm up against Martin O'Neill, Steve McClaren, Sam Allardyce, Neil Warnock, then it's going to be a tough ask," said Keen. "Because those boys have got a lot of experience, they've got a better record than my losses of two and wins of nil in the Premier League. "So, it's up to the owners. I'm sure whichever way they go, they'll make the right decision." Keen also believes the Hammers must learn to adapt quickly to the rigours of the Championship if they are to stand any chance of bouncing back to the Premier League at the first attempt. He added: "It will be a tough, tough season in the Championship. "It's more physical than the Premier League - but not as much as it used to be - and there are more games. "We have fantastic young players here and if we can keep hold of them, we have a fantastic base to build from and we can play the kind of football our fans believe in."