Much of the speculation over the future of David Moyes at West Ham centres around his relationships with Tim Steidten and David Sullivan.
David Moyes has insisted it is he who is stalling on signing a new West Ham contract.
That has taken some outside the Hammers bubble by surprise.
But those following the saga within it will be wiser to the reality.
After that press conference I suggested the real reason Moyes is stalling on his West Ham contract was made clear in my recent Hammers News exclusive.
Recruitment the big sticking point in new deal
In a bid to seek clarity on the board’s plans for Moyes earlier this month, I reached out to the top source inside West Ham.
I was told in no uncertain terms: “Yes we fully intend to renew the manager’s contract, subject to terms,” as I reported on Hammers News.
The key words West Ham fans need to focus on there are: ‘subject to terms’.
Moyes warns Steidten and Sullivan over transfers
Those terms centre around Moyes’ influence on and the involvement of technical director Tim Steidten in recruitment.
Currently Moyes’ contract stipulates he has ultimate power of veto on all transfers. Much to the frustration of Steidten if reports are to be believed over the last two windows.
And of key relevance as majority owner David Sullivan reportedly fights to keep Steidten out of Liverpool’s clutches.
Any new deal will see the manager’s power of veto removed and his influence marginalised when it comes to recruitment.
But in what seems to be a clear signal he won’t be staying on those terms, the Scot has made it clear he will never accept completely ceding control of transfers to others.
‘I’ve always been involved’
Moyes has sent a bold warning to Steidten and Sullivan over West Ham transfers.
In a new interview with Sky Sports, the Hammers boss has made his feelings perfectly clear on the subject of transfer control.
And he highlighted some of his transfer successes over the years including Jarrod Bowen.
“I’ve always been involved in recruitment,” Moyes said.
“If you don’t recruit well then you probably won’t be doing your team any good.
“You’ll never get them all right…
“Tim Cahill, John Stones, [Mikel] Arteta, [Steven] Pienaar, [Joleon] Lescott. People coming through the academy, like Ross Barkley.”
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