West Ham would need a very good reason not to reward David Moyes’s fine work with a new contract. If they waver they only need to think back to how the Scot’s first spell at the London Stadium ended. Instead of embracing the stability offered by Moyes, West Ham went for the glamorous option. They appointed Manuel Pellegrini, gave the Chilean a huge budget and ended up sacking him after 18 months of inconsistency left the side in relegation trouble. The grass isn’t always greener.
Moyes returned in Pellegrini’s place, preserved West Ham’s Premier League status and built a team with a hard-running identity. He finished sixth and seventh, bringing European football to east London for the first time since 2006.
West Ham faced some challenges in 2022. Despite reaching the semi-finals of the Europa League, their performance in the league declined. This put pressure on Moyes’s job security, and there were serious talks of firing him if they lost to Fulham in April. Some fans were unhappy with Moyes’s conservative tactics and were quick to criticize him. However, others see this as ungratefulness from the outside.
Moyes is the individual responsible for guiding West Ham to their first trophy in 43 years. In the Europa Conference League final last June, he enthusiastically ran down the touchline in Prague when Jarrod Bowen scored the winning goal against Fiorentina. Is it now time to erect a statue in his honor? Not yet. There were discussions last summer about potential conflict between Moyes and West Ham’s recently appointed head of recruitment, Tim Steidten.
Given this context, it is not surprising that the prevailing sentiment was that West Ham would allow Moyes to leave when his contract ends this season. There was a desire for Steidten, who previously worked with Bayer Leverkusen, to search Europe and discover the next Roberto De Zerbi.
Moyes has recently led West Ham to the round of 16 in the Europa League. Despite selling Declan Rice to Arsenal last summer, they have made progress by bringing in new players such as Edson Álvarez, Mohammed Kudus, Konstantinos Mavropanos, and James Ward-Prowse. Currently sitting in sixth place, they have secured two 2-0 victories against Arsenal and Manchester United. It’s not surprising that they are planning to extend Moyes’ contract for two and a half years as discussions will take place this month.
The outcome is not guaranteed. Moyes, who received backlash for switching players during West Ham’s match against Liverpool in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup, resulting in a 5-1 loss, may question whether he wants to endure two more seasons of fans labeling him as overly defensive. It has been less than a month since his team suffered a 5-0 defeat against Fulham. At times, West Ham’s offense appears uncoordinated.
However, there are multiple methods of approach. The recent victory of West Ham over Arsenal left spectators in awe of their exceptional defense. Not all managers are fixated on passing data. Despite holding less than 30% possession, West Ham has defeated Chelsea, Tottenham, Brighton, and Arsenal this season. Some critics of Moyes may view these wins as mere flukes. It seems unlikely that they could be achieved without dedicated players executing a well-devised strategic plan by a skilled and seasoned manager.
West Ham maximizes their resources, utilizing Ward-Prowse’s set pieces as a key strategy without relying solely on direct play. They possess a strong counterattack and showcase skillful players, such as Lucas Paquetá who is among the top performers in the league. Bowen has excelled since his position change to the front line. Kudus, who will be absent while representing Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations, has proven to be a steal at £38m from Ajax due to his goal-scoring and dribbling abilities.
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It is natural to consider handing over these talents to a manager with a bigger approach. Moyes is not without flaws. Some matches can be uneventful and there are instances where West Ham retreat too far back. Strikers have struggled within his tactics. Supporters eye with envy the ambitious style of play exhibited by Spurs under Ange Postecoglou, a manager previously rejected by West Ham.
If a suitable option is not readily available, there is no justification for dismissing Moyes. He highlights that West Ham lacks the same amount of resources as their competitors, thus they must discover alternative methods. He mentions his tenure at Everton and discusses the importance of gradual progress.
Looking back to 2014-15, we see a hopeful season coming to an end as West Ham allowed Sam Allardyce’s contract to expire. Uncertainty is not beneficial. Moyes has acknowledged that it could be a distraction for his team. He is preparing for a successful second half of the season.
There is a possibility of the atmosphere shifting before summer if West Ham gives Moyes a contract now. This could result in a decline in performance and an increase in fan dissatisfaction. The team does not have enough reliable backup in important positions. What if there are injuries? What if they end up in the middle of the table? West Ham may question their decision to take a risk.
Moyes has been the most successful manager for the team during their time in the Premier League. He has led them to victories against top teams and memorable moments in European competitions. One of his most notable achievements was winning in Prague, which puts him in the same league as esteemed managers Ron Greenwood and John Lyall in the club’s past. Moyes deserves more time with the team. West Ham would have to be certain that a different manager could do a better job if they were to let him go. It would be a risk to replace him, as they do not want another experience like with Pellegrini.
Source: theguardian.com
