Veteran defender Stuart Pearce has thrown his hat into the ring for the vacant manager's position at West Ham.
Long-serving boss Harry Redknapp left Upton Park last week after falling out with the board over an apparent lack of funds to strengthen the squad.
There has been plenty of speculation as to who will replace Redknapp as only the ninth manager in the east London club's history, with Charlton boss Alan Curbishley and George Graham both linked to the position.
But 39-year-old Pearce, who had a taste of management when he took charge of Nottingham Forest following Frank Clark's dismissal at the end of 1996, feels he could be just what West Ham are looking for.
"I am in shock," said Pearce. "Harry Redknapp's departure came as a bolt out of the blue and to even talk about succeeding him doesn't seem right. "But all I can say is that if West Ham fancy taking a gamble, they know mynumber and hopefully they will give me a bell soon.
"Not necessarily about the manager's position, but to let me know where I stand on the playing front."
While Pearce is keen to get into coaching when he finally decides to bring the curtain down on a career which has seen him play in the top flight since 1983, he also feels he still has something to offer on the field as well.
Speaking to the Sunday People,Pearce claimed his playing status was currently in "limbo" after Redknapp's departure, as he had not yet finalised an extension to his current contract which expires next month.
He said: "For me the future should still hold some Premiership games and after that it is no secret that I want to go into coaching and management. "I am sure that the West Ham board know that and everyone at the club knows where to contact me."
The future of several of the Hammers' most talented players has also been thrown into doubt, with young midfielder Frank Lampard claiming he wanted out after Redknapp left along with his father who was assistant manager.
But Pearce, who has won 78 caps for England, insists West Ham must do all they can to retain the services of players such as Lampard if the club are to move forward.