The END of an ERA – Speculations Surrounding David Moyes’s Position at West Ham United
As the winds of change sweep through West Ham United, speculations swirl around the future of manager David Moyes, prompting questions about the potential end of an era at the club. Moyes’s tenure has been marked by both highs and lows, failure to win the Europa League but the success of the Europa Confrence League – many beg the question. Is this the end of the Moyes Era?
David Moyes, a seasoned football manager with a career spanning over two decades, has left an indelible mark on the sport. Rising to prominence during his tenure at Everton, where he transformed the club into a consistent top-half contender in the Premier League, Moyes showcased his tactical acumen and managerial prowess. His move to Manchester United in 2013 was met with great anticipation but ultimately proved to be a challenging chapter in his career. Despite the setback, Moyes continued to demonstrate resilience and adaptability, leading successful campaigns with clubs like Sunderland and Real Sociedad before returning to the Premier League with West Ham United where he eventually won the club the Europa Confrence League trophy, the clubs first trophy after a 43 year long wait. With a reputation for instilling discipline, tactical discipline, and a keen eye for talent, such as Lucas Paqueta, Muhammed Kudus, James Ward-Prowse and Kalvin Phillips, David Moyes has undisputedly proven himself to be one of the very top managers in the top flight.
But should Moyes be worried about his contract extension being cancelled after recent results?
The Start Of The Moyes Era (2017 – 2018 Season)
David Moyes was appointed as the manager of West Ham United on the 7th of November 2017, only 6 months after he resigned from his job post at Sunderland. At this point in time West Ham was deeply in the relegation zone – Moyes marked his first ever game for West Ham as a special one, given it was his 500th Premier League Game. Although Moyes wouldn’t find his first win with the hammers until a month and 2 days later on the 9th of December – Besting the likes of Chelsea at home.
On the 13th of January 2018 West Ham was able to get away with a 4-1 win against Huddersfield which became David Moyes’ 200th victory as a Premier League manager. Moyes was the fourth manager in history to ever reach this milestone – right next to Sir Alex Fergurson.
Nearing the end of Moyes’ season at West Ham saw the Scottish manager do the impossible and save the club from the relegation battle they was in. Just 6 places away from relegation – West Ham United finished 13th in the 2017/2018 season. West ham saw themselves win 10 games out of the 38 with the remaining games being 12 draws and 16 losses. The Hammer’s Goal Diffrence stood at -20 and the team managed to accumulate 42 points.
David Moyes’ job was done at West Ham, despite plenty of fans wanting Moyes to stay on for the hammers after survival, but Moyes did not meet fans expectations – Moyes left, his six month deal expiring in the 13th of May 2018.
The Return Of the MOYESiah (Moyesiah.. Messiah.. see what I did there?) (2019 – 2020, 2021 – 2022, – 2023 – 2024)
On the 29th of November 2019, West Ham Fans was given a late Christmas gift by the big man in red who spreads Christmas joy. David Moyes made his return back to West Ham United following Manuel Pelligrini’s horrible leadership see the club fall back into relegation battles (dropping to 17th)
When interviewed, Moyes made his intentions very clear on why he returned back to West Ham United despite the club being in a heavy relegation battle.
“I think there’s only two or three managers with a better Premier League win record. That’s what I do, I win. I’m here to get West Ham wins.”
David Moyes on his return to West Ham United and his return to East London
Moyes’s first game back in charge saw West Ham dominate Bournemouth 4-0 and saw Moyes live up to his promise of winning as West Ham managed to finish 16th that season, earning only 39 points (a point less than his previous tenure). The season also ended on West Ham only winning 10 out of 38 games – with the rest being composed of 9 draws and 19 losses.
Moyes had plenty of work to do at the end of the 2019 – 2020 season.
Despite all odds the 2020 – 2021 season saw David Moyes pull off an incredible result for West Ham United – seeing the team into a UEFA Europa League spot for the 21/22 season. Not only that but Moyes managed to shepard the team into 6th, 10 spots above the previous season. This also saw West Ham earn 65 points combined. With an incredible set of 19 wins, 8 draws and 11 losses. This was the season that David Moyes was dubbed the Moyesiah.
The 2021 – 2022 season saw David Moyes pull off more incredible results. Another season that saw West Ham in the top 10 (7th), saw David Moyes sign a new contract and saw the club nearly win the UEFA Europa League – but just barely missing out due to losing to Einracht Frankfurt on aggregate (3-1). This season West Ham bad a combined total of 56 points and a total of 16 games won, 8 drawn and 11 lost.
Oddly enough the 2022 – 2023 season was by far the most strangest season for David Moyes after his team placed 16th in the league and was actively struggling in a relegation battle, just as former manager Pelligrini once was. Although many fans couldn’t exactly fault Moyes due to the club having high aspirations and expectations to win the UEFA Europa Confrence League that season, this is where Moyes followed through. For the first time in 43 years, under the guidance of Moyes, West Ham United was champions.
Now we are in the 2023 – 2024 season and West Ham are off to an incredible start. Already through to the round of 16 of the Europa League and still in the top 10 of the Premier League. 23 matches into the season – Moyes is undisputedly doing an incredible job.. although some fans beg to differ. Moyes In and Moyes Out debates began to begin again after the smallest amount of losses and it seems like plenty of fans would want to see the man they once called their “Messiah” leave.
It’s hard to say whether Moyes will truly stay or not; as it now seems like the board of West Ham are reconsidering contract talks with David Moyes. This can either spell doom and gloom for West Ham or maybe a new era dawning where West Ham will see themselves in more European competitions more frequently. In my personal opinion? Moyes is a world class manager and deserves to stay at West Ham United. I know I’m not the only person to think so. Just look at the following tweets made on X (Formerly known as Twitter)
I also spoke to two West Ham Fans who believe Moyes should stay – that he’s done incredible things for the club.
“David Moyes has taken a team who were fighting for relegation during the 2019/2020 season to a revolutionised West Ham team which have seen them play in Europe for the first time since 1965 which has seen them get to a semi final and a final which they’ve ended up winning.
Freddie Facey – Ex West Ham Season Ticket Holder.
So who knows what the future truly holds for West Ham United and David Moyes. One thing is for certain though. We are potentially about to witness the end of an era.
