West Ham, under Harry Redknapp, embarked on a marvellous league run during the 1998-99 season, they were outstanding through out, with their talented stars including John Hartson and Eyal Berkovik all coming into the fore of the team. The hammers ended the season off in strong fashion as they sailed through the league, finishing in fifth position. This was their best finish in the league in 13 seasons and earned West Ham a birth in the UEFA Cup the following season.
The 1999-2000 campaign did not go to badly for the Hammers, they were consistent in the league, finishing the season off in ninth position and they embarked on a fine run in the League cup, reaching the last eight, unfortunate to lose against Aston Villa in the quarter finals. The 2000-2001 season proved to be Harry Redknapp’s last full season in charge at West Ham, and despite a low positioning finish in the league, he guided West Ham to the quarter finals of the FA Cup and they were unlucky to lose 3-2 to Spurs. However with a team now boasting young talents such as Joe Cole, Jermain Defoe and Michael Carrick, the future looked promising for the Hammers.
Redknapp left mid way through the 2001-02 season and Glenn Roeder stepped in as caretaker manager, he made an immediate impact at the club, helping them finish in seventh position, and he was later on installed as their full time manager.