Tim Sherwood backs Marco Silva to replace David Moyes amid £6m development at Fulham
Sky Sports pundit Tim Sherwood has backed Marco Silva as an ideal replacement for David Moyes if the Scot leaves his position as manager of West Ham at the end of the season.
Moyes led the Hammers to a seventh-place finish last term, but this campaign has seen West Ham in a relegation dogfight and with three games to play they still are not mathematically safe from the drop – albeit they have a seven-point buffer to the bottom three.
West Ham, who are also in the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League, were one of a number of sides named as potential suitors for Fulham boss Silva, who the Daily Mail reported has a £6million release clause in his contract.
“I think the rumour has appeared because he has a £6million buy-out in his contract,” Sherwood told the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast (34:25), in quotes reported by the Boot Room.
“They can’t stop him leaving, if they pay the £6million he can go and join any club who wants him. Without disrespecting Fulham, it’s a bigger club – West Ham. Huge support.
“I think he’s a very good manager, I really do, and if they want to change David Moyes he would be a good option for them. Good brand of football, progressive, what the West Ham fans want to see. I think there will be a change there at West Ham, whether they win it (the Conference League) or not.”
Hammers gamble worth taking for Silva
West Ham still have plenty to play for this season, not least in the Conference League where they face a semi-final tie with AZ Alkmaar.
The Hammers are favourites to lift UEFA’s third-tier trophy but regardless of whether they do add silverware to the trophy cabinet or not, it’s probably time for Moyes to move on.
If he does, then Silva would seem a great fit for the club and one who fits the fabled “West Ham way” with a front-foot style of football.
Things did not quite work out for the Portuguese at Everton but he has rebuilt his reputation in fine fashion with Fulham, who he led to promotion from the Championship last term.
This season, Fulham were flirting with European qualification and remain on course for a top-half finish.
It does feel that there is a ceiling at Craven Cottage, though, and a move across London might be a great fit for the ambitious Silva.