West Ham United board and David Sullivan fortunate about David Moyes reaction
David Sullivan and the West Ham United board are fortunate that David Moyes has chosen to react to the official announcement of his departure “with only generous words of farewell”, according to Daily Mail journalist Oliver Holt.
West Ham formally announced on 6 May that Moyes would be leaving the club upon the expiry of his contract at the end of this season, with the Scottish manager wishing the club the best for the future and thanking those he worked with.
However, that announcement came against the backdrop of reports that an agreement has already been reached with Moyes’ potential successor, Julen Lopetegui.
And Holt feels West Ham’s hierarchy have not acted with the class that Moyes has conducted himself with, writing in his column for the Daily Mail (page 65, 7 May): “The club’s board is fortunate indeed that Moyes chose to depart with only generous words of farewell. It was a lot more than they deserved.
“It feels very much as if Lopetegui’s tenure is being born under a bad sign. That is hardly unusual for the way West Ham conduct their business. Some might say that Lopetegui and the West Ham owner David Sullivan deserve each other.”
David Moyes leaves West Ham United with class
The writing has been on the wall regarding Moyes’ departure for some time now.
Despite his suggestion earlier in the campaign that the possibility remained that he would sign a new deal – and that no decision would be taken until the end of the season – it has been an open secret that West Ham have been actively seeking a new manager, with a whole host of names linked with the position despite no official decision being made over Moyes’ future.
The club’s pursuit was perhaps at its most public when Sporting CP head coach Ruben Amorim flew to London from Lisbon to hold talks with the Hammers before hastily backing away upon his return to Portugal.
Their subsequent chase of Lopetegui was equally poorly hidden and tensions within the club saw technical director Tim Steidten banned from the first-team dressing room as he led the search to replace Moyes.
Now that official communication has been released – if somewhat hastily – to confirm that Moyes will indeed leave in the summer, fans who were keen for a change will likely see their frustration with the Scotsman abate somewhat, and focus can finally turn to ensuring the manager receives the send-off he deserves.
In other West Ham news, Liverpool have been tipped to pay the release clause of one Irons star if there is a Saudi twist at Anfield this summer.
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