Gareth Southgate has just given West Ham a very real boost in more ways than one after his England decision at the weekend.
With the sword of Damocles hanging over his head, David Moyes leads West Ham into the Premier League restart under intense pressure.
The Scot has maintained a radio silence during the World Cup break as speculation over his West Ham future swirled.
Moyes has been backed by the owners but word is that the next four games must yield at least six points to save his job.
A host of managers have been linked as potential replacements for Moyes in the West Ham hotseat.
Journalist Dean Jones recently claimed West Ham are willing to approach both Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel if Moyes is sacked.
And an agent contact speaking to Hammers website Claret and Hugh said the owners must move for the duo if Moyes is sent packing.
“If West Ham want to be considered a top club they have to show the ambition to go for these guys at the very least,” Claret and Hugh report.
“They may not get either but that should never stop them demonstrating they have the ambition to try.”
When West Ham star Declan Rice and England crashed out of Qatar to France, speculation was rife that Southgate could walk away from the Three Lions job.
Claret and Hugh claimed over the weekend that would present West Ham with an issue because the FA had been linked with moves for both Pochettino and Tuchel as Southgate’s potential replacement.
Well now Southgate has given West Ham a very real boost in more ways than one after his England decision.
The FA has today confirmed Southgate will remain as England manager to lead the 2024 Euros campaign (Sky Sports).
And that means Pochettino and Tuchel could remain on the market for West Ham should they decide to sack Moyes anytime soon.
Not only that, though. Because had Southgate stepped down as England boss he would almost certainly have been linked with the West Ham job.
Southgate would not be considered by any European elite clubs, certainly not in the Premier League. And he would have been linked with any job at second tier clubs – like West Ham – where the manager’s future is uncertain.
Given the huge frustration many fans feel about Southgate’s tactics and team selection, the fact his name would not be in the mix to replace Moyes is in itself a huge relief.
Ironically Southgate was compared to Moyes during the World Cup – and not in a positive way.
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