Simon Jordan misses the point with David Moyes contract comments at West Ham United
Simon Jordan has missed the point of what many at West Ham United were thinking when replacing David Moyes with Julen Lopetegui.
Jordan’s column in the Daily Mail [14 November, page 71] on Thursday featured comments on Moyes, namely that the Hammers should have offered the Scotsman a new contract at the end of last season rather than shaking hands and moving onto the Spaniard.
It was unlikely Moyes even wished to remain at the London Stadium due to his strained relationship with Tim Steidten, who was always going to have an increased impact on first-team matters as seen with the installation of Lopetegui as a “head coach”.
Jordan’s view was one he shared a year ago but has now reinforced, but it was simply a move that never looked close to happening; the overwhelming majority of Irons fans love and appreciate Moyes, but were excited for a new era.
The issue since, however, is that many both in and out of a West Ham persuasion believe opting for Lopetegui was a sidewards move.
West Ham could consider change, David Moyes still available
Talk of Lopetegui’s potential departure after just 11 Premier League games is a microcosm of the rapid nature of sackings and the much-maligned managerial merry-go-round that exists at the top level.
The rumours have also intensified following the confirmed availability of Ruud van Nistelrooy, whose stock has risen overnight courtesy of a well-navigated interim spell in charge of Manchester United.
A poisoned irony for Lopetegui could turn out to be that one of his three league wins so far was in the controversial contest with Man United at the London Stadium that proved the end for Erik ten Hag; if the Dutchman’s assistant was then to swoop in for the Hammers job, it would offer a cruel turn of fate.
Jordan goes on to explain in his column that not necessarily should West Ham return with interest in Moyes – this would be utterly unsustainable for the club’s new era and reputation to boot – but other Premier League clubs should be monitoring him.
Southampton, Leicester City and Wolves were all name-dropped, though the futures of their respective managers all remain uncertain either way.
But with regards to the Irons specifically, it wasn’t really a case of being a bad move to not give Moyes a new contract, more that hiring Lopetegui as his successor was an error.
In other West Ham news, Sam Allardyce explains why it hasn’t worked for Lopetegui so far.
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