West Ham United twist as new Roberto De Zerbi wanted at London Stadium
Jacob Steinberg believes David Moyes’ contract extension is not a done deal at West Ham amid calls to find the “next Roberto de Zerbi“.
There was talk of frustration between the Scot and the Hammers’ new Head of Recruitment, Tim Steidten, last season, with some calling for a newly discovered manager to reinvent football at the London Stadium.
Despite it becoming evermore likely that Moyes would see out his contract at the club, with his current deal ending at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, West Ham seemed to have turned a corner with the current manager set to sign a brand-new deal.
“Until a few weeks ago, the general feeling was that West Ham would let Moyes walk away when his contract expires at the end of the season,” Steinberg wrote for The Guardian on Tuesday (2 January).
“There was a yearning for Steidten, previously at Bayer Leverkusen, to scour Europe and unearth the next Roberto De Zerbi.
“Only, Moyes has just taken West Ham into the last 16 of the Europa League. They go into Tuesday’s home game against Brighton in sixth, fresh from consecutive 2-0 wins over Arsenal and Manchester United.
“No wonder they are prepared to offer Moyes a two-and-a-half-year extension when talks over a deal are held this month. It is not a done deal. Moyes could be forgiven for wondering if he wants two more seasons of supporters calling him too negative.”
Grass isn’t always greener
West Ham have experienced first-hand what could happen if they were to allow Moyes to leave. The Hammers chose to switch allegiances from the Scot in 2018, appointing Manuel Pellegrini and sacking him 18 months later. They would then bring Moyes back.
The same situation could occur again, especially with such high expectations surrounding the London Stadium this season. Having won the Europa Conference League last season, West Ham are through the last-16 in the Europa League and are sitting in sixth place.
Moyes has won 33 points from a possible 57, claiming victories over Arsenal, Manchester United, Brighton, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur. Few managers could achieve the same feat as Moyes has managed.
Even despite the manager setting up rather defensively in some matches, no one seems to complain when the tactic helps the team pull off an incredible victory. This was evident when West Ham defeated Brighton in August, only having 22 per cent of possession but still managing a 3-1 win.
West Ham have the chance for huge success this season. However, the longer this contract situation drags on, the longer a dark cloud hangs over the club.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers are ready to “listen to offers” for one big-money player in the January transfer window.