Rodney Marsh speaks out on David Moyes exit at West Ham, ex-FIFA ref reacts
Former FIFA referee Keith Hackett believes West Ham United will “regret” parting ways with David Moyes at the end of the season.
The Hammers have officially announced that Moyes will leave the club this summer upon the expiry of his contract, with an agreement reportedly reached to make Julen Lopetegui his successor.
However, Hackett feels both the club and the fans have been too quick to do away with Moyes following a successful spell in London.
Responding to Rodney Marsh’s plea to West Ham fans to give Moyes “a memorable send-off”, Hackett posted on X (7 May): “Rodney, amazing how quickly the fans and club owners forget that West Ham sold their most influential player to Arsenal and pocketed a large sum of money.
“Moyes is a top-class manager and they will regret offloading him.”
Declan Rice departure has left a hole at West Ham United
While fans may differ in their opinion of whether or not Moyes’ departure represents the right move for the club, few would argue that the loss of Rice has not had a detrimental effect on the team.
The England international midfielder has had a transformative impact at Arsenal, who are contesting the Premier League title with Manchester City and Liverpool this season.
Following his departure, three new central midfielders have arrived – Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse on permanent transfers and Kalvin Phillips on loan – but the varied repertoire of skills Rice brought to the centre of the park has meant that his absence is still keenly felt.
Phillips’ temporary move aside – which has been a failure in almost every conceivable aspect – Alvarez and Ward-Prowse have acquitted themselves well upon moving to London.
Mexico international Alvarez has screened the defence well, while Ward-Prowse has added set-piece threat – but Rice’s ball-carrying ability and energy are still missing.
If Lopetegui does indeed become the next West Ham manager, bolstering the Irons’ midfield will surely be high on his priority list.
In other West Ham news, new manager links have been branded “embarrassing”.
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