'Rangers of the south' - Keith Wyness shares verdict as second man set to move from Ibrox to West Ham
Former Rangers chief financial officer James Taylor may not have the required experience to take on a similar role at West Ham United.
That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the Hammers may want someone with Premier League experience to fill that role.
Taylor left his position at Ibrox at the start of July, and there have since been strong links emerge over a potential move to the London Stadium in a similar role.
Wyness has expressed his concern over the disparity between the financial “numbers” involved at the two clubs, but has also acknowledged that Taylor would be among familiar faces in East London.
The Irons’ interim CEO Karim Virani spent time working with Taylor during his time at Rangers, and they could soon be reunited.
West Ham are facing a period of significant upheaval behind the scenes at the moment, and Taylor could soon become the latest to join the overhaul.
Keith Wyness explains role of chief financial officer
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that a move for Taylor may prove to be a gamble for West Ham to a certain extent.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have strong ambitions to bounce back to the Premier League at the first attempt this season, a level which Taylor has never operated at.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness explained why the finance expert’s lack of experience may cause issues if West Ham did make a move.
“He’s the second one that's been linked from Rangers coming down to do a West Ham job, so it seems to be like Rangers south is happening down there,” he said.
“A CFO is a crucial member of the team, and I've always fully respected the CFO position. I'd like to have seen someone with a bit more Premier League experience and being part of the network.
“It is important because you speak to other CFOs continually and there are lots of political issues around the Premier League and Championship that you have to discuss.
“There are also different inter-club transactions that you have to ask for favours or different things around. So it would have been helpful to have had that experience.
“But nevertheless, a Scottish accountant is always considered to be one of the best in the world, and we may see how he gets on at West Ham. Rangers to West Ham is a big leap in terms of the numbers.”
Jarrod Bowen agrees ‘very nice bonus clause’
Former Tottenham scout Bryan King recently told Football Insider that Jarrod Bowen’s latest contract amendment at West Ham is sure to include a “very nice bonus clause.”
The Hammers’ skipper has committed his future to the club in the Championship this season, and is desperate to help fire them back into the top flight.
King believes that Bowen’s contract will include a lucrative bonus clause for if the team secure promotion at the first attempt, but warned that he could be allowed to leave for as little as £25million if they don’t go up.
The former recruitment man made it clear that the winger’s basic wage will not have changed as part of the agreement, but several of the bonus clauses may have altered.