West Ham United could appoint ‘firefighter’ manager as panic sets in over David Moyes
West Ham will replace David Moyes in the summer, but there remains an “appetite” at the London Stadium to bring in a “firefighter” manager as panic starts to set in at the club, according to the Daily Mail.
Moyes still has the support of the Hammers board, but will reportedly lose his job should the club lose to Fulham on Saturday (8 April) [Football Daily].
The pressure on the boss has intensified following the humiliating 5-1 home defeat to Newcastle on Wednesday (5 April).
“Ideally, West Ham would prefer to wait until the summer to make a managerial change, giving Moyes time to lead them to safety in the Premier League and potentially win the Europa Conference League,” according to the Daily Mail.
“They could then assess their options, which includes Brendan Rodgers and Graham Potter, who are both out of work after leaving Leicester and Chelsea respectively.
“However, panic is starting to set in at West Ham, and there is now an appetite to bring in a firefighter to see out this race against relegation.”
Timing is key
Given the several managers that have been sacked from their jobs in recent times, there is a long list of suitable candidates to take over from Moyes, with the likes of Rodgers and Potter undoubtedly more than capable of enjoying success at West Ham.
Perhaps Mauricio Pochettino is too ambitious given the current state of the club, but Champions League winner Rafa Benitez could be a suitable option.
But while there are plenty of potential candidates, the real issue at West Ham remains exactly when the club should make the decision.
It is a given now that Moyes will lose his job no matter what, whether that be in the coming weeks, months or indeed at the end of the season, regardless of what happens to the Hammers domestically and in Europe.
The Premier League has witnessed plenty of so-called “firefighter” managers come in and save clubs over the years, but whether or not West Ham need to do that remains to be seen.