Sport nationThe future of David Moyes as West Ham United manager remains uncertain as his contract is set to expire at the end of the current 2023-24 season. Despite leading the Hammers to historic success in recent years, including their first major trophy in over 40 years by winning the Europa Conference League last season, Moyes finds himself under pressure after a disappointing domestic campaign so far.
West Ham currently sit in 14th place in the Premier League table, having won just 11 of their 38 matches. This comes on the heels of a 14th place finish last season, when the club flirted with relegation for much of the campaign before ultimately securing safety. The inconsistent league form over the past two seasons has raised doubts about whether the 60-year-old Moyes has taken West Ham as far as he can.
When Moyes returned for his second spell as West Ham manager in December 2019, he helped steer the club clear of relegation. He then led a remarkable turnaround, guiding the Hammers to 6th and 7th place finishes in 2020-21 and 2021-22 respectively – their highest league placings in the Premier League era. West Ham also reached the Europa League semi-finals last season, their best European run in over 40 years.
However, the attacking, expansive football West Ham played during that successful period has given way to more pragmatic, defensive tactics this season as Moyes has struggled to get the best out of his squad. Star signings like Lucas Paquetá have underperformed, while the team has looked bereft of ideas going forward at times. A humiliating 6-0 home defeat to Arsenal in March seemed to be a nadir.
Despite the poor recent form, Moyes has defended his overall record at West Ham, arguing it would be “hard to say there have been many better times at the club” and that “the one who’s sitting here wins more” even if fans want a more exciting style of play. He guided West Ham to a club record 10 consecutive wins in Europe this season en route to Conference League glory.
However, Moyes also admitted his own future is uncertain, saying he is still deliberating over signing the new contract that has been provisionally discussed. With his deal expiring in June, West Ham have effectively put off completing an extension until the end of the season when they can fully assess the campaign.
This has fueled speculation that West Ham are considering potential replacements for Moyes if he were to depart. According to reports, the club’s hierarchy see Graham Potter as “gettable” after his sacking by Chelsea and consider him the current favorite to succeed Moyes. Other names linked include Paulo Fonseca, Gary O’Neil, Marcelo Bielsa and even a sensational return for club legend Mark Noble in a managerial capacity.
West Ham’s technical director Tim Steidten is said to be doing due diligence on managers in the background, sounding out candidates that could implement a more progressive, possession-based style than Moyes’ pragmatic approach. However, Steidten himself faces an uncertain future, with reports he could leave the club this summer.
Much may depend on how West Ham finish the season and whether Moyes can oversee an upturn in form. Their talented squad is certainly capable of a top-half finish, but a sense of staleness has crept in after three years under the Scot. His tactics have drawn criticism from some fans who want to see the “West Ham way” of attacking football restored.
Ultimately, Moyes’ future will likely be determined by whether he and the club’s hierarchy feel he is the right man to continue taking West Ham forward. He has undoubtedly brought stability and success to the club after years of underachievement prior to his arrival. Consecutive top-7 finishes and a European trophy are not to be sniffed at.
However, expectations have been raised by that success and there is a feeling West Ham may have plateaued under Moyes. His pragmatic style is not universally popular and a refresh in the dugout could reinvigorate a talented squad that has stagnated this season.
The likes of Potter, Fonseca or Bielsa would represent a move towards a more progressive, attacking philosophy in line with West Ham’s traditions. The club has a big summer ahead in the transfer market and a new manager may be trusted with shaping the squad to suit their style of play.
Much will depend on how contract talks progress between Moyes and the club hierarchy in the coming weeks. If an agreement cannot be reached or the Scot decides to walk away, West Ham will embark on a search for a new manager for the first time in three and a half years.
Moyes has earned the right to go out on his own terms after the success he has brought to the London Stadium. But there is also a strong case for a parting of ways this summer, with both manager and club potentially feeling they have taken each other as far as they can.
West Ham fans will always be grateful to Moyes for bringing European football and a long-awaited trophy back to East London. He has restored pride to the club and laid the foundations for future success. However, a new chapter may be needed for the Hammers to kick on and truly establish themselves as a consistent force in the upper echelons of the Premier League.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining Moyes’ future, with a big decision looming for both manager and club. West Ham’s form in the final matches of the season could yet convince the Scot to stay on, but there is a growing sense that change may be needed in the dugout for the Hammers to realize their lofty ambitions.
If Moyes does depart, he will do so with his head held high after the remarkable job he has done in his second spell at the club. But football is a results business and West Ham may feel a fresh approach is required to build on the platform Moyes has put in place and take the club to the next level.
The likes of Potter, Fonseca and Bielsa are all intriguing potential successors who could bring an exciting new style of play to the London Stadium. But they would have big shoes to fill after the stability and success Moyes has delivered.
It promises to be a fascinating summer ahead for West Ham as they weigh up whether to stick or twist with their manager. Moyes has earned the right to decide his own future but he may also recognize that a parting of ways could be best for all parties after a disappointing campaign.
Whatever happens, Moyes’ legacy at West Ham is secure. He has restored pride and brought long-awaited silverware back to the club. But football never stands still and the Hammers must decide whether he remains the right man to lead them into an ambitious future or if a change of direction is needed in the dugout.
The ball is in Moyes’ court as he weighs up whether to sign a new deal or walk away on a high after last season’s Europa Conference League triumph. But West Ham are already planning for life after Moyes if he does depart, with an intriguing array of potential successors waiting in the wings.
It promises to be a summer of change at the London Stadium one way or another. But after the success of the Moyes era, West Ham will be determined to make the right managerial appointment to build on his legacy and establish the club as a consistent force at the top end of the Premier League.
Only time will tell if Moyes remains the man entrusted with that task or if a new face will be in the dugout when the 2024/25 season kicks off in August. But one thing is for sure – the Scot has earned the right to go out on his own terms after the remarkable job he has done in his second spell at West Ham United.
Citations:
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Sport nation
Amina Umar