West Ham draw up shortlist to replace Moyes
WEST HAM manager David Moyes’ future is under increasing pressure as the club draw up a list of candidates to replace him.
Mail Sport understands the Hammers, who hope to have playmaker Lucas Paqueta back within a fortnight, have started the process of sounding out candidates to replace the Scot.
Primarily, the club are trying to ascertain which managers are open to taking the job, but also determining the cost of appointing certain candidates.
They are not rushing into a decision, but the news provides a clear indication that the former Everton, Manchester United and Sunderland manager’s future is under serious threat.
Among the candidates interesting West Ham are Julen Lopetegui, Steve Cooper and Graham Potter. The club also have a long- standing interest in Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel, who is under pressure at the German giants, although it is unlikely the former Chelsea manager would consider a return to London with West Ham. Moyes had held talks over a new contract after a promising start to the season, but the willingness to recommit to the 60-year-old from key figures has waned following a poor run of form.
The club would ideally like to get to the end of the season before making a final decision, but accelerating a call is not out of the question if results continue to be poor.
Sections of fans have turned on Moyes following a run of eight matches without victory, with co-owner David Sullivan well aware of the emerging feelings.
Indeed, defeat at home by Brentford on Monday would almost certainly culminate in further discontent which would intensify the pressure.
Moyes found himself in a similar position last season as the team fought relegation. But their euphoric Europa Conference League triumph resulted in him being given the opportunity to take charge of the team for the final year of his contract. Indeed, an upsurge in results over the coming weeks, as the Hammers recommence their Europa League campaign, would ease the pressure on him again.
West Ham’s poor run has coincided with the absence of Paqueta. The Brazil international has been missing since the start of January with a calf problem, but is now back in training.
With the Hammers not playing for six days, the club will use the chance to accelerate Paqueta’s training with a view to having him available within two weeks.
It seems unlikely he will make enough progress to face Brentford, but there is hope he can be available by the time the Hammers visit Everton on March 2.
Meanwhile German Moritz Steidten, the brother of the club’s sporting director Tim, has been appointed head of international scouting and recruitment at the London Stadium.