[0] Football: McCLAREN TO FOLLOW FERGIE OUT THE DOOR; EXCLUSIVE West Ham want him as new boss.

Byline: ALAN NIXON

SIR ALEX FERGUSON had crisis talks with his Manchester United bosses yesterday - as West Ham made a formal approach for Steve McClaren.

Ferguson stayed off the team flight to London for the game at Tottenham today and sought a showdown with chief executive Peter Kenyon over McClaren's - and the club's - future. McClaren has emerged as the new favourite for the Hammers post after chairman Terry Brown contacted Ferguson for permission to speak to him.

The United manager is already under pressure and seething over a lack of transfer funds for the summer and wants to sort out the growing crisis with Kenyon and company.

However I can reveal that Ferguson will let assistant McClaren leave because he knows that it would be in the best interests of the the highly-rated coach.With Ferguson in his final year - or maybe less - at Old Trafford he could not stand in his way. The United boss feels he should look out for his staff and will smooth McClaren's exit out of Old Trafford.

McClaren was once considered to be on the short-list to succeed Ferguson, but that now seems to be off the agenda.

And with Ferguson locked in a row over transfer funds with his bosses he simply will not stand in McClaren's way. McClaren has become first choice on the short-list for the West Ham job - with Charlton's Alan Curbishley his only rival, but now slipping out of the picture.

Ferguson knows of McClaren's possible move and is virtually giving him his blessing to go, even if it leaves United without the former England coach.

The United boss normally expects extreme loyalty from his staff as Brian Kidd found when he left for Blackburn Rovers and was then shunned by his old manager.

But McClaren's circumstances are different. Ferguson persuaded him to quit a comfortable job at Derby County to join him at United and feels a responsibility towards finding him a good job.In his Godfather role in the past, Ferguson has helped several young bosses find work and his contacts are excellent.

McClaren's worth has been recognised by the FA and he would still be at Sven Goran Eriksson's side but for United and Ferguson wanting him to get back to United full-time.

Now that the atmosphere at United has changed Ferguson will merely shrug his shoulders and shake hands with McClaren when the time comes for the number two to quit.

Celtic boss Martin O'Neill believes Ferguson could be tempted to postpone his retirement by joining another club.

O'Neill, said: "I think when Sir Alex goes it will be a massive loss to football, but he has not gone yet.

"He has at least another year to go and probably longer. Surely somebody might coax him into staying for another couple of years - he is still a very young man."

CAPTION(S):

WEST Ham want McClaren as boss