West Ham United manager news: Brendan Rodgers top option to replace David Moyes amid Celtic and Tottenham developments
Brendan Rodgers is the “leading candidate” to become West Ham manager if David Moyes leaves for Celtic, according to Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna.
The managerial game of musical chairs appears to have kicked off with Ange Postecoglou agreeing a deal in principle to become the new Tottenham boss [Sky Sports, 5 June], and the Hammers man is the Scottish champions’ preferred replacement.
If Moyes is to leave the London Stadium after the Europa Conference League final on Wednesday (7 June) former Leicester boss Rodgers and Lille man Paulo Fonseca are linked, but the former is the number one priority.
Aouna reported via Twitter the double-development, adding to the Celtic news: “Brendan Rodgers is West Ham’s leading candidate if David Moyes leaves the Hammers. Paulo Fonseca is also in the list.”
Everyone’s a winner?
Spurs appear to have got their man after weeks of confusion following the departure of Antonio Conte, and while that hasn’t gone down especially well at Parkhead the Hoops appear to want to fill the gap with Moyes.
A return to his first senior club would surely carry some weight for the West Ham boss even if he succeeds in lifting a European trophy this week.
With the board apparently now minded to dispense with his services if he fails to do so [Guardian, 2 June] following a dismal domestic season, perhaps this offers everyone a way out without any bad feeling.
The expensive restocking of the squad last summer flopped massively under the Scot, with his style apparently not conducive to the club’s push to become a more expansive side with high-priced imports.
Should he stay the Irons would necessarily have to accept his pragmatic outlook for the foreseeable future, so if the hierarchy retains the hope of moving on from that but don’t want to sack the man who potentially just delivered a first major European trophy in 58 years, allowing him to return to Glasgow for another big job means they don’t have to.
Rodgers was himself a serial trophy-winner at Celtic Park, and prior to this season’s dismal campaign at the King Power had the now-relegated Foxes pushing for Champions League promotion just as West Ham were supposed to be.
The drop-off this season is a concern, but while Moyes got a lot of money to spend it was the opposite story for the Northern Irishman, so the FA Cup-winner could be a strong option for a new era at the London Stadium.
Plenty has to fall into place yet for everyone to go away happy, but the priority right now remains Fiorentina on Wednesday.