Gary Neville tips West Ham United to replace David Moyes as manager
Gary Neville believes West Ham could replace David Moyes as manager this summer with the job likely to be “sought after”.
Moyes has been linked with an exit from the Hammers at the end of the season when his contract is due to expire, although he has claimed he has an offer from the board to extend his deal despite reports elsewhere that they aren’t sure if they want him to be in charge next season.
And while appearing on The Overlap: Fan Debate (28 March), Neville suggested that the club were in a tricky situation right now trying to deal with expectations, reality and progression.
“West Ham, they’re caught between the devil and the deep blue sea,” he said. “They’ve got this manager who is so consistent, who never lands them in trouble, who gets them in the top half of the table.
“The prize money in the Premier League is huge. They’re competing for trophies, they’re in the latter stages of European competition, and yet there are fans who aren’t happy because of the style of play.
“A little bit like Spurs when I was watching them a few seasons ago. They weren’t happy with the managers who were there and I had a debate with someone on Sky after a game, and I said Spurs fans are never going to be happy if their style of play is like this even if they’re challenging for trophies. And I think West Ham fans have got to that point where the scales are tipping.”
Liv Elliott of the Blowing Bubbles fanzine questioned if Hammers fans get a reality check when they see the potential options who could replace Moyes, but Neville claimed it could be a big job for some managers.
“I think a lot [would be interested],” he said. “I think West Ham would be a really sought after club because you’ve got a lot of really good players.
“I think that maybe, De Zerbi comes to Brighton and plays football that’s out of this world. Postecoglou we know from Celtic, but he was 3rd or 4th choice for Spurs and then he just smashes it out of the park when it comes to the football, he’s blown us all away.
“I think there are managers. I wouldn’t undersell West Ham for how big a club that is and how big a job that is. I was there at Monday Night Football a few weeks ago and it’s 55-60,000 people in the stadium on a Monday night.
“I love David Moyes, I think he’s done an unbelievable job but I think the owners will be sat there thinking we better be careful what we wish for here. We might get a few more passes but all of a sudden you could be 15th in the table thinking ‘Oh my God we need David Moyes back’. That’s what they’ll be thinking.”
“The owners at West Ham have been around the block. They’ve been there, they’ve done it, they’ve seen it. They’ll just be thinking let’s be careful here.”
Gary Neville understands West Ham fans
Finally, it seems as though there is a member of the mainstream media who understands what it is that West Ham fans want.
Moyes has done a fantastic job as the manager and taken the team to a great place, but he has been doing it with a negative approach to games and fans want to see more entertaining football with the quality of players at his disposal.
What makes it more annoying for fans is the fact that he has shown he is capable of doing it, with performances in the 5-0 win over Freiburg exactly what fans want to see.
It’s a huge football club and with the squad that they have, with so much quality, and cash to improve the squad further there is a great opportunity there for someone to come in and elevate the club.
There will be loads of people who will look at it as a challenge, and a fantastic chance to take a huge club to where they want to be. It’s not anti-Moyes, it’s just pro-West Ham.
In other West Ham news, Jamie Carragher clashed with a West Ham fan over David Moyes sack verdict.
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