Academy of football graduate and former West Ham star Joe Cole says he can’t understand why fans don’t want David Moyes to stay.
Speculation is mounting at a pace that David Moyes will now leave West Ham when his contract expires this summer.
Particularly in light of West Ham’s dismal 5-2 thrashing at Crystal Palace.
A host of managers have been linked as potential replacements from Marco Silva to Maurizio Sarri, Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Julen Lopetegui.
There has been a big divide among West Ham fans about Moyes for the best part of two seasons.
Indeed some Hammers supporters have even been conflicted about their own feelings on the subject.
The argument for and against Moyes is usually rooted around style vs substance.
But Moyes has little ammunition right now because his side have won just four of 22 games in all competitions in 2024 so far.
Even the defensive solidity he prides himself on has evaporated with West Ham having conceded more goals than any other team outside the bottom three.
Holes all over Moyes’ substance over style argument
The Hammers are also without a clean sheet in 14 Premier League games, the longest run without a shutout since 2020.
It’s pretty obvious that when the results dry up, Moyes’ risk averse style is there to be shot at.
But Sky Sports produced a damning in-depth analysis of Moyes’ style and tactics back in February.
It highlighted that West Ham play some of the worst and most defensive football of all the clubs in Europe’s five major leagues.
The highly detailed feature left the Scot nowhere to hide.
Overall, though, Moyes is regarded to have done a fine job in east London. Pulling West Ham up by their bootstraps from a relegation battle, restoring pride, professionalism and belief.
He led West Ham into Europe three seasons in a row, oversaw the club’s record ever Premier League points total, finished sixth and seventh and won a first major trophy for 43 years.
Fans have been warned by former coaches, pundits, journalists and others in the media to be ‘careful what you wish for’.
One former Hammers hero has been having his say on the matter.
Cole can’t understand why fans don’t want Moyes to stay
A bemused Joe Cole says he can’t understand why West Ham fans don’t want Moyes to stay.
Speaking on talkSPORT at 11.15am on Monday morning, Cole did not go as far as to warn fans to ‘be careful what they wish for’.
But he admits he struggles to see why supporters haven’t taken to the manager. And now the former Hammers midfielder believes a parting of the ways is inevitable.
“What he has done, Moysie, it has been unbelievable,” Cole said.
“I have been banging the drum for him because the last three years, I have been looking around, and I think it is the best squad of players West Ham have had that he has assembled.
“But it is something that has not clicked with the West Ham fans. You can’t do right for doing wrong. He has put silverware on the table, of course, losing to a very, very good Leverkusen team as well, by the way.
“I would stick with him, but the more I look at the situation, I think probably a parting will happen, and I think it would suit both. I think David has got another big job after West Ham as well, and I just don’t understand why the fans don’t warm to him.”
Cole’s squad claim simply doesn’t ring true
Cole’s take may surprise some. He makes some salient points. But his claim about West Ham having their best squad is way off.
If anything, Moyes’ biggest failing is that he has completely failed to future-proof this West Ham squad.
It is the joint smallest and second oldest in the Premier League.
That has been clear for all to see in the second half of the season where it has often been stretched.
Moyes has had money too. Over £500m on signings in his four-and-a-half years in fact.
Cole is right to point out Moyes has done a superb job at the London Stadium. You won’t find many fans who disagree with that.
But those craving a modern, progressive manager who will shape a young, hungry team playing a more attacking style are just as entitled to their opinion as those – like Cole – banging the drum for continuity.
It is also interesting to hear him say Moyes has got another big job left in him. But which Premier League side would take him on this summer if he does leave West Ham? And therein the argument for the Scot usually falls down.
READ ALSO
Cameras spot Steidten in deep conversation with Sullivan during Palace debacle
Moyes hit stars with Liverpool blast in dressing room after Palace mauling
View: Call Man City and terminate Phillips loan now after what he did at Palace
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
