David Moyes absolutely tore into a reporter for what he said to him about his West Ham future after defeat to Bayer Leverkusen. West Ham left everything on the pitch in a courageous 3-1 aggregate defeat to Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League last eight.
Roared on by the best London Stadium crowd since that night against Sevilla, West Ham led 1-0 for most of the match. David Moyes’ side threatened to end Leverkusen’s 43-match unbeaten run.
But ultimately the brave Hammers ran out of gas and were hamstrung by another terrible set of officials as they conceded a deflected late goal to kill the tie and draw 1-1 on the night.
West Ham had their chances in the first half after going 1-0 up through Michail Antonio but it was not meant to be.
Focus quickly turns to Moyes’ future after Europa exit
Journalist Graeme Bailey recently told Hammers News there was only one way Moyes is still manager of West Ham next season.
That being if he led the club to unlikely Europa League glory – and into the Champions League.
Yesterday journalist Bailey reiterated that in an exclusive with Hammer News but told fans one manager in particular is high on West Ham’s shortlist to replace the Scot.
Bailey also said Moyes now only has one major backer in the Hammers boardroom. Speculation has abound over the manager’s future since he publicly stated it is he who has been stalling on signing a new contract.
Yesterday talkSPORT claimed Moyes is likely to leave the club when the season finishes.
Moyes tears into reporter for what he said about his future
But the Hammers boss clearly didn’t feel that it was the right time to be asked about that after bowing out with pride to the German champions. Because he absolutely tore into a reporter for what he said about his West Ham future.
Moyes was involved in a spiky exchange with a BBC reporter when he was rather provocatively asked about his future at the club following West Ham’s Europa League exit.
Here is how the incident in the press room unfolded as West Ham’s media officer also took exception to the question.
BBC reporter: “If this is the end of your tenure at the end of the season, how do you reflect on…”
Moyes: “Sorry, I didn’t get that question.”
West Ham media officer: “We are not focusing on the end of tenures.”
Moyes: “We have just played in a third quarter-final there.”
BBC reporter: “I was reflecting on the three years you have had in Europe and the moments you have given these fans…”
Moyes: “Better question. We have been in three quarter-finals, won two and were narrowly close tonight. The supporters have been treated to big nights against Alkmaar and Sevilla. Leverkusen are a Champions League team and play that way. We have three fabulous years and we are hoping we can make it four.”
Hammers boss take exception to questioning
Moyes was also angry when the press pack tried to get him to bite over the performance of Spanish referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez.
“I will turn the question round and ask you what you thought about the officiating,” Moyes said.
When the reporter changed the subject, Moyes replied: “I am asking you.”
After being told “the fans” weren’t impressed, Moyes asked: “Are you a fan or just reporting?”
The fiery Scot then turned on the reporter again, adding: “He knows it was very poor (the line of questioning) but he wanted me to say it.
“I have managed in Spain and have watched a lot of Spanish football. If that is how it is, I wouldn’t be watching too many Spanish games.”
