David Moyes will leave West Ham at the end of the season on the back of fan resentment, complaints about playing style and a lack of appreciation for the outstanding job he has done. David Moyes has endured a torrid spell as West Ham’s manager. One of the greatest qualities in life is to quit while you are ahead.
If David Moyes had ridden off into the sunset last summer after leading West Ham to their first European trophy since 1965, then he would have gone down as one of the club’s great managers.
Instead, Moyes will leave at the end of the season on the back of fan resentment, complaints about playing style and a lack of appreciation for the outstanding job he has done at the London Stadium.
And therein lies the problem. The outside world are left scratching their heads in disbelief over West Ham’s treatment of Moyes. Moyes has had two spells at West Ham. He rescued them from relegation the first time. The second time, he got them into Europe, won the European Conference League. Then lost the club captain, Declan Rice, for £105m.
Julen Lopetegui agrees West Ham deal as David Moyes’ second spell in charge of Hammers to end
So, what did anyone think might happen this season? It was always going to be nigh-on impossible to scale the heights of last season. But the club’s loyal fanbase don’t want to hear that. And that’s what the rest of the football world cannot get their heads around. The rest of us think Moyes should be leaving as a hero.
However, it’s such dangerous territory to get into telling any set of supporters what they should think or do. Is survival and success enough? Clearly not.
The West Ham fans want more entertaining football. And that’s at the heart of the debate here. West Ham fans have seen some great entertainers down the years – and they want flair over pragmatism. Don’t start lecturing fans on what they should expect unless you are happy for them to tell you how your club should be run. And no-one ever is.
Would West Ham have won a European trophy while playing all-out attacking football? It’s doubtful. Moyes’ philosophy is a cautious one but his managerial CV and record deserves more respect than what he gets.
Moyes had great success at West Ham after securing European glory last season. Equally, West Ham fans want more. Of course the last time they got rid of Moyes at the end of a six-month deal, they brought him back and he has done brilliantly.
But don’t even bother saying be careful what you wish for to West Ham fans. Because what they wish for is success with style. And that’s their right. It’s their club. But very few managers can deliver both.
Moyes deserves to go down as a top manager. And given time, all West Ham fans will remember him like that.
