Under pressure David Moyes lost his closest ally after a big transfer fallout at West Ham claims a new report.
When it comes to feeling the heat at West Ham, David Moyes has been there, done that and got the t-shirt.
After all speculation has bubbled to the surface on multiple occasions over the last 18 months.
In the past former captain turned sporting director Mark Noble always had Moyes’ back.
Noble has always been very much on the same page as Moyes.
The legendary Hammers midfielder has a big input across all aspects of the club. And that includes recruitment.
But Moyes lost his closest ally after a big transfer fallout at West Ham claims a new report.
Moyes lost closest ally after big transfer fallout claims report
When West Ham were scrambling to sign a new attacker in the winter window, the club was being heavily linked with Ibrahim Osman and Jota.
In the end the Hammers signed neither. And Osman has since agreed a summer move to Premier League rivals Brighton.
Now 90 Min has claimed Noble sided with technical director Tim Steidten in pushing to sign Osman.
But Moyes refused to back the move and wanted Jota instead. That’s despite well-publicised issues surrounding the tax implications.
“Moyes wanted to sign former Celtic winger Jota, who is out of the picture at Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad, but technical director Tim Steidten and sporting director Mark Noble were more inclined to push for a deal for emerging 19-year-old Ibrahim Osman,” 90 Min reports.
“A deal for Jota was also tricky to progress with anyway due to tax and wage issues.
“Steidten and Noble’s preference was to sign a player West Ham could develop into a first-team regular and they believe Brighton & Hove Albion’s model is one ton replicate, whereas Moyes was keen to focus on the here and now, which is understandable given the pressure he’s under and time left on his current contract.”
A significant shift
This is a hugely significant claim.
Because, if true, then Moyes lost the support of his biggest ally at the club at a pivotal time.
There is nothing to suggest the pair have had a falling out.
But it’s hard to imagine that such a fundamental disagreement over which direction West Ham should be going with their recruitment and squad composition has not left a few bruises.
And Noble will have his own input on the direction the club goes in when it comes to deciding who will manage West Ham going forward.
With Tim Steidten now publicly flirting with his admirers at Liverpool, things appear to be getting a little messy in the West Ham hierarchy.
Just when the club looked to all be pulling in the right direction.
But let’s remember these are claims and reports. Let’s hope things are not quite as dramatic or serious in reality.
