Hammers set to move for Moyes
Swoop will KO Rangers and Scots job links
DAVID MOYES is the clear favourite to replace Slaven Bilic at West Ham — a move that would bring to an end speculation linking him with the jobs at Rangers and the Scottish national team.
Moyes is due to fly back from Qatar today, where he has been working for beIN SPORTS and is expected to be summoned for talks with West Ham’s owners.
There is still work to be done for the Hammers board, who will want a short-term deal, but Moyes is likely to seek a minimum of 18 months.
That could create a sticking point as they also deal with a social-media uprising against the idea of appointing Moyes.
It is believed chairman David Sullivan has been ‘surprised’ by a backlash, but he was being encouraged to ignore that by allies last night.
Moyes will have to make his mark quickly if they can conclude a deal.
Other candidates are being considered, with former Upton Park boss Alan Pardew a popular alternative.
Intriguingly, Sportsmail revealed last week that Pardew is also a contender for the Rangers job.
Derek McInnes remains the clear favourite to replace Pedro Caixinha and it is likely the Ibrox club will take advantage of the international break to move their plans forward.
Former England manager Steve McClaren is another possibility and is reported to have the support of Rangers director of football Mark Allen.
Yesterday, Moyes refused to discuss the situation, mindful that, as things stand, Bilic remains the manager and no doubt conscious that he could yet earn a reprieve.
He told beIN SPORTS: ‘I’ve been there myself, I know what Slaven is going through at the moment. He must be hating it and wanting to get a result as quickly as he can.’
But asked if he would be interested should West Ham move to change their manager, Moyes said: ‘If it becomes available, yes, but at the moment it’s not available.
‘I’ve had no contact with West Ham, but I’ve always said I want to go back into club management and if the right opportunity comes around, then I’ll be interested.’
Moyes has been out of work since May after he responded to relegation at Sunderland — and no guarantees of sufficient funding to get the side back up — by resigning as manager.
But any contract talks could yet prove complicated if the West Ham hierarchy are only prepared to offer the former Manchester United and Everton boss a deal until the end of the season.
Asked if he might be managing again after the forthcoming international break, he added: ‘I really don’t know. I hope so.’
Moyes has also been linked with the vacant Scotland job after the departure of Gordon Strachan, but sees that assignment coming later in his career.
‘Certainly, one day, I want to manage Scotland — if I’m lucky and fortunate enough to do it,’ he said.
‘I don’t know if it’s right for me just now. I think my preference is to go back into club management. If club management didn’t come along for me, I might look at it differently.’
Bilic, whose team crumbled in a 4-1 loss to Liverpool on Saturday, is due to meet Sullivan in an already scheduled meeting today, but the Croatian has accepted that he is in a precarious position. West Ham fell into the bottom three yesterday and now face an international break full of soul searching.
They face difficult matches against Watford, Leicester and Everton in the weeks to come.
Moyes was identified by Sullivan and the club board when he was managing Real Sociedad and understands they again regard him to be the best solution when they considered sacking Bilic last month.
Indeed, it is understood preliminary discussions between representatives for both parties have already taken place.
Guiding West Ham to safety would be a fine response to relegation last season and Moyes must realise how much it would repair the damage his reputation has suffered after those difficult spells at the Stadium of Light and Old Trafford.
Sources at West Ham were alarmed to see a number of senior players scurrying away from the dressing room 15 minutes after full-time against Liverpool.
There was no inquest from the manager, who has been left disheartened by the performances of his team in recent weeks.
It is believed a number of players are surprised Bilic is still in the post. There have been questions about the intensity of training and performance levels have dipped.
Moyes would need to inspire confidence in a squad that is considered to be strong, despite their abject performances.