Stan Collymore admits he would be stunned if David Moyes is still West Ham United manager come November and December amid the new “power play” now at hand in East London.
Speaking exclusively to CaughtOffside (11 August), Collymore says he expects Moyes to go and the best-case scenario after their Europa Conference League triumph was that the former Manchester United boss should have left the club on a high.
Sky Sports Kaveh Solhekol claimed on 3 August that there is a “power struggle” between manager David Moyes and new technical director Tim Steidten, which has already led to several reports regarding Moyes’ future in East London with a possible sack on the cards.
Collymore believes that the new “power play” between Steidten, for which the German has already had friction with Moyes regarding the club’s summer recruitment, coupled with chairman David Sullivan could spell the end for Moyes should things go awry throughout the campaign.
He said: “I think the reality is that their league position last season told you a lot about West Ham really, and that’s from the season before where they were seventh, and then last year where they were sort of scrapping relegation until fairly late… they’re a middle of the table team.
“I think that the problem is that David Sullivan has brought in the new technical director and they’ll see themselves as a big London club. Big stadium, won a European trophy, qualify for Europe. They need something that is hand in glove with that and I don’t think David Moyes is.
“From my perspective, I would be stunned if David Moyes isn’t one of the first casualties of the Premier League season, maybe in November or December.
“I think that David Moyes will go – that is the power play now. David Moyes and his backroom staff versus the new technical director versus David Sullivan and in the end, David Moyes will lose his job.
“The best case scenario for West Ham United last season would have been David Moyes lifting the trophy and going ‘I can’t do any better, now I’m leaving it to the next guy,’ but he’ll end up falling on his sword come the dark days of winter.”
Moyes on thin ice
Despite the impressive business the Hammers have done so far this summer, completing the signing of Edson Alvarez and agreeing deals for James Ward-Prowse and Harry Maguire, things certainly haven’t been plain sailing.
The reports claiming that there was friction between Moyes and Steidten during the window would have not helped matters either, but it certainly goes to show that the pressure is on for Moyes to deliver after a disappointing campaign last term.
Collymore is right, Steidten’s presence coupled with Sullivan’s influence certainly suggests that Moyes is walking on thin ice right now and if the Hammers endure a tough spell at the start of the campaign, the Scottish coach could be glaring at the London Stadium exit door before long.
The Europa Conference League triumph was a huge step in the right direction for the club, even despite such a difficult domestic campaign but such triumph means a rise in expectations from the West Ham board and fans.
Moyes needs to carry the club into new territory now, both on and off the pitch but if those ambitions don’t fall in line with Steidten and Sullivan wants then the club could be scouring the managerial market for a more progressive and ambitious manager.
This campaign is set to be one Moyes’ most challenging as West Ham United manager, but it remains to be seen whether he is up to the task.
