David Moyes often plays his cards close to his chest but has offered a surprise update on his West Ham future after meeting David Sullivan.
Speculation has been rife over the future of David Moyes at West Ham.
The world and its wife have been linked as potential replacements for the Hammers boss.
It’s not surprising given the Scot has entered the final six months of his contract.
A contract Moyes publicly stated would be signed ahead of talks with majority owner David Sullivan after the January window closed.
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.
New Moyes deal is ‘subject to terms’
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.
“We’ve had a bad start to the year, but it is early days.
“You need to judge managers over seasons, not weeks.”
Since then reports have suggested the owners have iced Moyes’ deal for now.
‘Me who is stalling’ on deal claims Moyes
But in his pre-Brentford press conference Moyes has claimed it is he who is stalling on the contract.
“I’ve had really good conversations with the owners, with David Sullivan and Karren Brady,” he said, as reported by Sky Sports.
“There’s a contract there for me and I’m the one deciding I want to wait until the end of the season.
“I want to make sure it’s right for the club, for me, for my family. I’ve spoken to the board, I get on very well with them, but we will sort it out and I’m happy to wait.”
It’s my view that the real reason Moyes is stalling on his West Ham contract is clear after those Sullivan talks.
The key words West Ham fans need to focus on there are: ‘subject to terms’.
And if indeed that contract does remain on the table – as those close to the owners have claimed this week – then Moyes is clearly unsure over those “terms”.
We can’t speculate as to exactly what those terms would be.
But it would be reasonable to assume they centre around the influence and involvement of technical director Tim Steidten.
Removal of veto and Steidten influence likely issues
Currently Moyes’ contract stipulates he has ultimate power of veto on all transfers.
That has – on several occasions – rendered Steidten powerless in his role dictating West Ham’s recruitment.
It was evident in January with reports claiming Moyes vetoed a Steidten move for Ibrahim Osman – who has since been snapped up by Brighton for £16m.
It is likely the terms of Moyes’ new contract would remove that power of veto on transfers.
Indeed it may be that the Scot’s say on transfers is reduced significantly.
And that definitely would not sit comfortably with an old school boss like Moyes.
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