Roeder doctors rule out heart condition after collapse

The West Ham manager Glenn Roeder was undergoing further tests today after he collapsed with chest pains at the end of his side's crucial win against Middlesbrough.

The 47-year-old, who was taken to hospital shortly after yesterday's Premiership encounter, is currently in a stable condition at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel.

Roeder was admitted to hospital after club doctor Ges Steinbergs called for an ambulance as players and fans celebrated the relegation-threatened club's 1-0 victory.

A statement released by the hospital today said: "Glenn Roeder was admitted early yesterday evening after being examined by the club doctor.

"He is currently in a stable condition and further tests will be carried out today.

"We are pleased to confirm that, despite numerous press reports, the nature of the problem is not related to a heart condition.

"No further statement will be made available until the results of the tests are available."

The Hammers boss, who was heckled by fans shortly before Trevor Sinclair's 77th-minute winner, has been under immense pressure as West Ham fight to avoid the drop to Division One.

A West Ham spokesman said: "The thoughts of everyone at the club are of course with Glenn, his wife Faith, and his family."

Roeder, who succeeded Harry Redknapp as Hammers' manager on June 14, 2001, is the latest boss to fall victim to the enormous stress involved in the game.

Liverpool's Gerrard Houllier underwent life-saving surgery after being taken ill during a match at Anfield in October 2001.

Houllier told The Sun: "My thoughts are with him. He has had a difficult season and handled it with a lot of dignity and I am sure he will overcome this problem.

"From my experience, I know he is a genuine man and my best wishes go to him."

Blackburn manager Graeme Souness also had heart surgery while in charge at Anfield, undergoing a triple heart by-pass 24 hours after Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final draw against Portsmouth in 1992.

Former Wimbledon manager Joe Kinnear was rushed to hospital after suffering a mild heart attack while warming up on the pitch at Hillsborough prior to the Dons' game at Sheffield Wednesday on March 3, 1999.

Kinnear stood down as Wimbledon boss in June that year but returned to the game at Luton in 2001, and three heart attacks have failed to stop Peterborough's Barry Fry from continuing in club management.

In September 1985 Scotland manager Jock Stein collapsed and died after his side's World Cup qualifier against Wales.

Redknapp, now boss at newly-promoted Portsmouth, said: "The game can get you like this. People don't realise what you go through as a manager and the pressure you put yourself under.

"Especially with the season he's had. The pressure has built and built and now it's cracked.

"You try to put a brave face on everything and no-one knows what's going on inside, especially when you're staring relegation in the face."