Richard Keys has delivered a strange warning to David Moyes that is so far out of touch with modern reality it’s untrue.
The West Ham boss has been dealing with intense criticism this season, and rightly so – we have been awful.
READ ALSO: Moyes finally clears up confusion regarding role Areola was promised after West Ham move
That doesn’t mean that Moyes doesn’t have feelings though, and there is a point where criticism crosses over into unnecessary abuse.
Chelsea boss Graham Potter came out the other day and said that the criticism that he has received has affected his mental health (The Guardian).
He didn’t hide behind Chelsea’s awful form, he just opened up on his mental struggles. Nothing wrong with that of course…unless you’re Richard Keys of course…
Richard Keys sends strange David Moyes warning
Keys took to his blog to highlight how he believes managers might ‘pull the mental health card too easily’ nowadays:
“The relief at West Ham was palpable. Well done Moysie. One thing though – please be careful David when suggesting managers’ shouldn’t be adversely questioned whilst in a job because criticism can affect their mental health. A lot of work has been done – is being done – in this very sensitive area – all of it very worthwhile. It’s complex subject so I don’t think we should deflect or blur the edges because we don’t like being held to account. As someone almost destroyed by public criticism I know what I’m talking about. I too have had death threats – but I’ve never treated them seriously and I don’t think Potter did himself any favours playing that card in his press conference Friday. I repeat – I hear you guys – but please be careful.”
Mental health is a hugely important topic that needs to be discussed openly.
And Keys certainly shouldn’t be telling someone to ‘be careful’ when broaching the subject.
The fact that many of us are all so much more comfortable discussing our mental struggles now is a great thing. And I’m not sure that Keys realises how much of a negative impact his comments could have.
Imagine now if a manager thinks, ‘I had better keep quiet about my internal struggles because of what Richard Keys said’…
The warning sent to David Moyes by Richard Keys is beyond irresponsible. I’m sure he didn’t mean it in the way that it came across but he’s clearly accusing some managers of being the ‘boy who cried wolf’ when it comes to mental health.
And that just isn’t right in my opinion.
READ ALSO:
Shock Paqueta report emerges just six months into West Ham career
Report: West Ham have just submitted £36m bid for ‘world-class’ 28-year-old via his agent
Shock report: West Ham could bring £1.7m ex-Chelsea striker back to the Premier League
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
