Moyes set to join the 500 club at West Ham
Yesterday, as expected, Slaven Bilic was sacked as West Ham manager. Today, just as expected, David Moyes has been confirmed as his replacement.
I picked up the news that Bilic was likely to be replaced by Moyes on the way back from Southampton following their 4-1 home defeat against Liverpool and have to admit to being somewhat surprised. I did think his season at Sunderland had all but ended him as a potential Premier League manager.
It’s not an appointment that’s been met with too much enthusiasm by the fans and the negativity has even reached some of their former players. Dean Ashton said, prior to the appointment, that he understands the concerns of the fans.
“They didn’t like Sam Allardyce and Big Sam got them results but half the stadium wanted him out because they couldn’t stand the football,” Ashton said. “They don’t just want results, they want to be inspired, they want to enjoy watching their football, and to me if David Moyes takes over he looks like a manager who is going to come in and grind it out until the end of the season and keep them in the division.
“But, having played at West Ham, they’re just not happy with that. Moyes will be on the back foot right from the off, because the fans won’t want him in, so he’ll have to get the results and develop a style of play quickly, but he’s certainly not going to inspire anyone at West Ham, I’m sure of that.”
Moyes himself said today: “It feels great to be here. West Ham is a big club. Wherever you go they are known. I’ve been really fortunate in that I’ve managed some really great clubs, and I have been offered some other opportunities recently, but I wanted a job that would give me a real good chance. I wanted a big fan base, a big club, and West Ham fitted the bill.
“I hope West Ham fans are going to see a team that is organised and disciplined, but I have always only ever wanted to be involved with attacking, entertaining football and I feel really confident with the group of players we have got here that we can provide that.
“West Ham supporters are a very passionate group, and we need them behind us. How do we do that? By building a successful team, with good players playing well, and that’s what we are aiming to do.”
Joint chairman David Sullivan said, on confirming the appointment of Moyes until the end of the season: “We need somebody with experience, knowledge of the Premier League and the players in it, and we believe David is the right man to turn things around and get the best out of the players at the Club. He is highly regarded and respected within the game, and will bring fresh ideas, organisation and enthusiasm.
““He proved with Everton that he has great qualities and we feel that West Ham United is a Club that will give David the platform to display those qualities again.”
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