Kevin Keen has been confirmed as caretaker manager of West Ham United until a new manager is appointed and will take charge of all first-team matters.
The process to find a replacement for Alan Curbishley is already under way with the club beginning to draw up an initial shortlist of potential candidates.
The club is also able to confirm that the Premier League has registered Italy striker David Di Michele and Congolese left-back Herita Ilunga and both players will join up with the rest of the first-team squad shortly.
Kevin Keen profile
After ten years serving the club as a player, Kevin Keen returned to West Ham United in a coaching capacity in 2002. He had originally played for the club between 1983 and 1993, having come through the academy ranks. A wide midfielder, he made his debut in September 1986 and went on to make 263 appearances, scoring 27 goals.
Later in his career, Keen represented Wolverhampton Wanderers, Stoke City and Macclesfield Town, combining his playing duties at the latter club with a coaching role. He then returned to the Boleyn Ground six years ago as a youth-team coach before stepping up to work with the first team. Now 41, he also has responsibility for the reserves.