WEST HAM are facing a fight to land Michael Laudrup as their new manager.

The Dane is on a four-man shortlist to become the new boss at Upton Park and is due to be interviewed by the club today.

However, the 44-year-old looks to be on the verge of becoming the new manager at Russian giants Spartak Moscow.

Laudrup was in Moscow at the weekend for talks and Spartak executive director Valery Karpin is confident of landing his man this week.

"The contract hasn't been signed yet, but I think this will take place on Tuesday or Wednesday," Karpin told the Sport Den Za Dnyem website.

Although moving to play down the claims, Laudrup dropped a stong hint that he could be on his way to the Russian outfit.

"I cannot say that everything is settled," Laudrup told Sport Express. "The final decision I will make in the next few days.

"But the chances are quite high, though I prefer to wait until all matters are settled.

"The first problem is football itself. It is important to understand what the team have and want.

"Secondly, there are some questions that are important to my family. What will the life be in Russia? Will it be comfortable for my wife, what school will my daughter attend?

"About Spartak I know that it is the biggest and most popular club in Russia as Real Madrid or Barcelona in Spain.

"I also know that for the last several years they haven’t won as much as their supporters wish. Of course they want to regain lost positions.

"Supporters demand the Spartak play to be attacking and entertaining and I am used to such an approach and quite understand them."