David Moyes was accused of arrogance when he made a big West Ham takeover claim but now it is starting to look like a Nostradamus-esque prophecy for David Sullivan.
Daniel Levy leaving Spurs this week has given hope to West Ham fans demanding David Sullivan and Karren Brady follow his lead.
A large number of Hammers supporters are once again mobilising to protest against the club’s ownership.
The list of grievances is long and well publicised from anger over the move from Upton Park to the London Stadium through to this summer’s pleading of poverty in the transfer market due to PSR.
Levy, himself the subject of longstanding protests from Spurs fans, once said he wouldn’t truly be appreciated by Tottenham fans until he had left the club.
Moyes tenure shielded West Ham owners from fan anger
That has certainly been the case when it comes to David Moyes and some at West Ham, perhaps Sullivan and co included.
It is no coincidence that fan protests aimed at forcing Sullivan out have sandwiched Moyes’ second spell in east London.
The Scot’s successful four-and-a-half-year spell at West Ham was the most serene period at the club for the owners too.
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Qualification for Europe three years in a row, with a Europa League semi-final and quarter-final either side of a first major trophy for 43 years and the club’s record ever Premier League points total and goal difference were some of the highlights of Moyes’ second coming.
Since his departure there is no hiding the fact West Ham have struggled.
Former West Ham boss David Moyes shakes hands with majority owner David Sullivan after winning the Europa Conference League
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
More informed observers would acknowledge Moyes’ part in the regression of the last 19 months.
After all it was his failure to future-proof West Ham’s squad and the now Everton manager’s preference for working with a smaller group of players that left the club needing to invest tens of millions to rebuild en masse.
The fact West Ham fumbled that rebuild and wasted many millions is not Moyes’ fault.
Hammers fans are sick of hearing ‘careful what you wish for’ when it comes to the parting of ways with Moyes.
Moyes’ West Ham takeover claim was a prophecy for Sullivan
Sullivan has been blamed for the situation that led to the departure with Hammers legend Tony Cottee recently saying the board should have either handed Moyes a five-year contract to allow him to rebuild or waved goodbye with a proper plan in place for a suitable successor.
Some West Ham fans felt the club was capable of pushing on further and playing a more attacking, exciting and attractive style of football under a modern manager as they grew tired of Moyes’ approach.
They were warned – by their fellow fans in some cases – that the Moyes era may be as good as it would get.
Others would argue West Ham may have gone on to bigger and better things with the right managerial successor to Moyes and better recruitment.
David Moyes celebrates by kissing the Europa Conference League trophy after West Ham beat Fiorentina 2-1 in 2023
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Now something the Scot said before his London Stadium departure has never carried more weight.
Moyes’ West Ham takeover claim now looks like a prophecy for Sullivan.
As Hammers fans rally to protest against Sullivan, Brady and the board at upcoming matches, Moyes’ words of warning about a takeover have proved Nostradamus-esque.
Before leaving West Ham, Moyes defended his record and warned only a lucrative takeover by a nation state would ever have the club competing at a higher level than he achieved.
Moyes warned West Ham need takeover to reach next level
“I genuinely think we’ve had an amazing few years…” Moyes said at in the build-up to his West Ham departure.
“I don’t know how, genuinely, it gets an awful lot better without us getting absolute trillions from somewhere else where we can buy success. I don’t see where it’s getting much better.
“We’ve raised expectations greatly, winning a cup competition, certainly being in Europe for a third year in a row. There is probably only one club above us who has a lesser budget than us in the Premier League at the moment, and that’s Brighton.
“From that alone, you might think I’m doing as well as I can do, because the budgets of the other clubs are so much greater, whether it’s wages or transfer fees.
“I feel as if I’m having to justify some of those questions (about my tenure). But not many talk about it, so there’s some facts.”
Judging by the planned protests, more fans than ever before clearly agree with Moyes that a takeover may be the only way for West Ham to reach the next level.