Hammers board targeting swift appointment to replace Moyes

WEST Ham are back on the hunt for a “high-calibre” manager after opting not to extend the contract of David Moyes.

Former Everton, Manchester United and Sunderland boss Moyes lifted the Hammers out of the relegation zone after replacing Slaven Bilic on a short-term contract in November.

But an eventual 13thplaced finish, thanks to seven points from their final three matches, was apparently not enough to earn the 55-year-old Scot (above) a new deal.

Joint-chairman David Sullivan said: “We are already taking steps to identify and recruit the manager we believe can take West Ham United forward in line with our ambitions.

“We aim to appoint a high-calibre figure who we feel will lead the club into an exciting future for our loyal supporters within the next 10 days.”

It is a familiar refrain. Rafael Benitez was top of Sullivan’s wanted list before Bilic got the job. Meanwhile, West Ham were reportedly turned down by Carlo Ancelotti, Ronald Koeman, Sean Dyche and Paulo Sousa before getting Moyes.

Sullivan has reportedly already held talks with Shakhtar Donetsk manager Paulo Fonseca, but reports from Fonseca’s homeland Portugal claim he has instead opted to sign a new contract with the Ukrainian side.

Former Man City boss Manuel Pellegrini, currently with Hebei China Fortune, outgoing PSG coach Unai Emery and Newcastle’s Benitez — again — have also been linked with the role.

In echoes of Sam Allardyce’s departure from Everton yesterday, many fans were not happy with Moyes, and it seems Sullivan and co-owner David Gold have bowed to supporter pressure.