Moyes ready to replace doomed Bilic
WEST HAM UNITED are expected to sack manager Slaven Bilic in the next 48 hours and have already held talks about David Moyes replacing him.
Moyes denied there had been contact, but he confirmed that he would be “interested” if there was a vacancy.
Although West Ham are looking at other candidates, the former Sunderland, Manchester United and Everton manager is expected to be appointed until the end of this season. Moyes will bring former West Bromwich Albion manager, and his former assistant, Alan Irvine with him.
There have also been discussions about another of his former assistants, Phil Neville, joining Moyes, but it is understood that the former United defender is keen to secure a manager’s job in his own right.
West Ham will hold a board meeting today, but the decision to sack Bilic appears to be a formality following Saturday’s 4-1 defeat to Liverpool.
The Croat’s contract expires at the end of this campaign. West Ham had hoped he would carry on until then, but have been considering their options for a number of weeks.
Moyes is highly regarded by West Ham’s owners and he was approached to succeed Sam Allardyce before Bilic was appointed in June 2015 on a three-year deal.
Despite failing in his past three jobs, including Real Sociedad and Sunderland, Moyes is regarded as the kind of experienced manager who could steer West Ham clear of relegation.
“I have had no contact from West Ham,” Moyes insisted yesterday. “But I’ve always said I want to go back into club management and if the right opportunity comes around, I’ll be interested.”
When asked directly about West Ham, Moyes added: “I am interested, but at the moment that vacancy has not become available. I know what Slaven must be going through. He must be hating it.”
Bilic did his best to put his best foot forward after Saturday’s defeat, insisting: “I’m a strong man and a big believer in myself.
“I definitely don’t feel a broken man and I don’t like to talk about myself like I’m dead.” (© Daily Telegraph, London)