West Ham’s board are currently completely split over who should replace Julen Lopetegui if he is sacked in the near future.
The Hammers may have given Julen Lopetegui another game but his future is far from certain.
A host of well-informed journalists have claimed West Ham are merely giving themselves more time to identify the right replacement by keeping the Spaniard in charge for Wolves.
Over 12 candidates are said to have been assessed by the Hammers board.
But there is a divide about who might be best to step in should Lopetegui be sacked.
That will be the case if West Ham fail to beat Wolves on Monday night.
In fact it has been revealed by a top source very close to majority owner David Sullivan that Lopetegui must win every game up to Liverpool on December 29th to keep his job.
That will require wins over Wolves, then high-flying Bournemouth, then fellow European hopefuls Brighton and then Southampton on Boxing Day.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
A plethora of managers, both in and out of contract, continue to be linked with the Hammers.
From Graham Potter, Edin Terzic and Sergio Conceicao to Max Allegri, Thomas Frank and Michael Carrick.
Like the board, West Ham fans themselves are divided over who they would want.
And one name who still features in some debate among supporters is the man who left the club just six months ago, David Moyes.
Those who warned West Ham to ‘be careful what you wish for’ when parting company with the Scot have been given plenty of ammunition to say ‘I told you so’ since.
Julen Lopetegui, Manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers (L) embraces David Moyes, Manager of West Ham United ahead of the Premier League match between ...
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
Hammers board divided over Lopetegui replacement
Many supporters have justifiably pointed out that just because they wanted a change from Moyes, does not mean they wanted Lopetegui as his replacement.
Quite the contrary in fact as most were seriously underwhelmed by the appointment at the time.
Moyes has been linked with a host of jobs since the start of the season including Everton, Leicester, Wolves and Crystal Palace.
He has been doing a media circuit and some punditry with appearances on shows like The Overlap and Match of the Day.
When asked previously whether he would consider a third spell at West Ham, Moyes stated: “I don’t know” after pausing for thought.
Moyes will always be respected and loved by the vast majority of Hammers fans for what he did in east London over two spells.
Some supporters are still angry he was not retained.
Now Moyes has sent a jaw-dropping message to West Ham chief Sullivan claims a top Scottish journalist.
Alan Nixon counts Moyes as one of his longest standing contacts in football.
When he was West Ham’s manager, Nixon was a reliable source of news from the London Stadium.
But as the club’s board continue to be torn over who should replace Lopetegui if and when he departs, Nixon’s new Moyes claim will leave fans stunned.
West Ham United Manager David Moyes is congratulated by chairman David Sullivan at the end of the UEFA Europa Conference League 2022/23 final match...
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Moyes sends jaw-dropping message to West Ham chief Sullivan
Because according to The Sun reporter, Moyes has told West Ham he is open to another return ‘in the right circumstances’.
Reporting on his Patreon site, Nixon says Wolves have approached Moyes about taking over from Gary O’Neil.
It’s claimed O’Neil will be sacked if Wolverhampton Wanderers lose to the Hammers on Monday night.
The game has been billed ‘El Sackico’ given Lopetegui faces the same fate should he lose again.
Moyes has insisted to Wolves he is not interested in discussing the job while they still have a manager in place.
West Ham clearly have a special place in Moyes’ heart, though.
Because Nixon says he has made it clear to Sullivan and co that a ‘remarkable third spell at West Ham is possible in the right circumstances’.
The report claims there are “severe doubts” whether Moyes would accept the Wolves job even if the position was vacant.
Moyes open to third West Ham term ‘in right circumstances’
Moyes is said to have now made himself ‘available for work but is happy to wait for the right opening’.
The fact he is open to a West Ham return would set up the potential for the comeback of the year story.
Whether the Hammers hierarchy would be open to that remains to be seen.
But Sullivan had no qualms picking up the phone to Moyes when he ditched him for Manuel Pellegrini after the Scot had saved West Ham from relegation in his brief first spell.
What’s to say he wouldn’t again.
Moyes recently made it clear he has no issues with Sullivan despite the contract situation which ultimately saw him leave West Ham at the end of last season.
This news will obviously not go down too well with many at West Ham, who wanted Moyes out and a change of direction.
There is a section of the fanbase who have been open to a third Moyes stint at the London Stadium, though.
And many who will argue it is ‘better the devil you know’ amid links to a host of other bosses.
Moyes riding back into the London Stadium on a white horse looked a complete non-starter until now.
But Nixon’s claim could change things.
If West Ham were to go down that road, it would almost certainly see technical director Tim Steidten – who is also under pressure over the club’s failings this season – leave the club given the way things ended between the pair.
Moyes’ achievements in two spells at West Ham:
Kept Hammers safe from relegation twice
Restored pride, made West Ham competitive again
Record Premier League points total of 65 points
Three consecutive seasons in Europe for first time in club’s history
First major trophy in 43 years
European semi-final, final and quarter-final in consecutive seasons
Set new English record for number of games unbeaten in Europe
Signed Jarrod Bowen and Tomas Soucek
Moyes’ failings over two spells at West Ham:
Dragged heels on transfers too often
Admitted snubbing Julian Alvarez for £14.5m and also missed out on Ollie Watkins and Viktor Gyokeres with hesitation
Fans did not enjoy the style of play when results dried up
Preferred working with a small squad
Failed to future-proof West Ham squad
Paid lip service to giving Academy stars a first team chance
Admitted he tried but failed to get Hammers playing a more possession-based style
Related Posts