West Ham United set for David Moyes exit decision as situation has ‘changed’ at London Stadium – Dharmesh Sheth
West Ham are “going to have to make some sort of decision” on David Moyes “sooner rather than later” as the manager comes under increasing pressure, according to Dharmesh Sheth.
The Sky Sports journalist spoke to GiveMeSport (4 November) and said the Scot’s situation is “unique” since the arrival of Tim Steidten as technical director in the summer, with the signings the club made looking split between the two men.
But since Moyes has less than a year left on his contract the Irons are now obliged to deal with the uncertainty of the situation amid poor results.
Sheth said: “We talked about this with Erik ten Hag, of course, that every manager is going to be under pressure because of results.
“The David Moyes situation is quite a unique one because you’ve got a situation at West Ham United now where things have slightly changed behind the scenes.
“You’ve got a new technical director in Tim Steidten who, if you look at the signings that West Ham have made since he’s been there, there seems to be David Moyes signings, you could argue, and Tim Steidten signings.
“Now, you’ve got a situation where David Moyes has got one year left on his contract. So his current contract at West Ham United is up in the summer.
“West Ham are going to have to make some sort of decision sooner rather than later because of the long-term direction of the football club.”
Divide
Indications so far are that Steidten has impressed those in charge at the London Stadium, and having only arrived this year it would represent a major about-turn for David Sullivan to jettison the German already.
In contrast the board were thought to be ready to get rid of Moyes amid the Premier League struggles last season, but held off because they couldn’t find an adequate replacement.
Once relegation was eventually escaped they were rewarded with a Europa Conference League trophy, but the subsequent appointment of Steidten felt incompatible with the manager amid reported clashes in the summer.
Although that situation was overcome late in the transfer window to good effect it hasn’t been followed by a new contract for Moyes.
It certainly gives the appearance of a West Ham hierarchy that was ready to move on from 60-year-old at the end of last season but decided they couldn’t fire the man who had just won the first major trophy since 1980.
If they are hoping to let Moyes play out a final season in charge before bringing in someone with similar ideas to Steidten that is all very well, but it will become increasingly obvious that he is a lame duck coach as the season goes on and is bound to affect results.
In the top flight they have already started to suffer, so as Sheth suggests the club may be forced to commit one way or another before then.
In other West Ham news, a “really telling” sign has already been given on the manager’s future at the London Stadium.