Alan Pardew has tendered his resignation as manager of Reading in a bid to talk to West Ham about the vacant position at Upton Park, according to reports today.
Reading have already rejected two attempts by the Hammers to lure the former Crystal Palace player away from Madjeski Stadium, as a replacement for Glenn Roeder.
Pardew cited Reading's refusal to allow him to talk with West Ham as the reason for his decision.
However Reading boss John Madejski has moved swiftly to reject Pardew's resignation and will surely look for compensation should the move go ahead.
Trevor Brooking will carry on as caretaker manager of West Ham for as long as it takes the club to appoint Roeder's successor.
The Hammers wanted to make Pardew their 10th manager in time for this weekend's Division One clash between the two teams at Upton Park but Brooking now looks certain to be in charge for at least that game.
"Obviously I would like to sort it out as soon as possible but we want to try and get the right person," said Brooking.
"At the moment we haven't been able to resolve it so I'm happy to jog along but let's see what happens in the next few games.
"I'm concentrating on Reading which is a tough game and other issues don't really come into it. It's not for me to comment on what's happening anywhere else. All I know is I'm caretaker manager at the moment and I will continue to do it."