Roeder rewarded by West Ham

Glenn Roeder has signed a three-year contract extension at West Ham United FC after a promising start to his time in charge of the English FA Premiership club.

Disappointing start
Roeder, 46, had an unhappy introduction to the job he took on in the summer when West Ham were languishing near the bottom of the table following a 7-1 away defeat by Blackburn Rovers FC in October. However, Roeder has since guided the Upton Park club to mid-table safety on the back of the best home defensive record in the division.

Board confident
"His judicious spending in the transfer market, and the respect he commands from players, staff and fans alike, not to mention the encouraging results he has achieved, have combined to make the decision to offer a new contract one that the board is delighted to make," said West Ham managing director Paul Aldridge on the club's official website. "The board has every confidence that the club is moving in the right direction under Glenn, and will continue to do so in future."

'A big job'
Roeder, who has previously managed Gillingham FC and Watford FC, initially signed a one-year deal in the summer after the departure of Harry Redknapp, the previous manager. "There is a big job to be done, with a lot of work behind the scenes ongoing, and a lot of things need to be sorted out," Roeder said on Tuesday.

'Grateful and honoured'
"But I am grateful and honoured that the chairman and directors have bestowed that responsibility on me over the next few years," he added. "I have really enjoyed the job so far and it goes without saying that the days are really enjoyable when you have good results and performances - but the defeats are the really big down side."

Eight new faces