West Ham United may just want to hold off on the David Moyes deal after Didi Hamann’s comments about Xabi Alonso.
West Ham wouldn’t be West Ham if the supporters weren’t divided over something.
And despite his achievements in the last four years, there remains two schools of thought on David Moyes and his future at West Ham beyond this season.
There is no wrong or right opinion. Supporters who want continuity with Moyes are just as entitled to their opinion as those craving a more progressive, expansive style and approach.
Indeed many supporters are conflicted about their own feelings on the best way forward.
With Moyes’ Hammers contract up in the summer as things stand, there was always going to be speculation.
Division over future of Moyes
The latest is that the Scot will be handed a new 2.5 year deal with West Ham when he sits down for contract talks with majority owner David Sullivan later this month.
Prior to that, many fans were excited by links with Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso.
West Ham have been heavily linked with a move for Alonso as their successor to Moyes.
It is perhaps no surprise given West Ham technical director Tim Steidten was one of the key men responsible for appointing Alonso at Leverkusen.
They say there is no smoke without fire. And a source inside West Ham has previously claimed Steidten’s appointment could see the German help West Ham replace Moyes with the Spaniard in the summer.
Hammers linked with Steidten man
Hammers fans got a glimpse of what could be when Alonso’s free-flowing, attacking pass-masters popped Moyes’ side off the park in pre-season.
Leverkusen have been the best team in all of Europe this season bar none. They remain the only unbeaten team in all competitions across Europe’s top leagues and top the Bundesliga table.
West Ham continue to unashamedly surrender possession in most games. But they have been getting results. Moyes’ side sit in the top six of the Premier League and last 16 of the Europa League having won a first trophy for 43 years last summer.
The lack of ambition – albeit without key players – in West Ham’s drab 0-0 draw with Brighton gave ammunition to those who say a more modern manager is needed to take the team forward.
There have been contrasting reports about whether Alonso will leave Leverkusen in the summer.
West Ham may want to hold off on Moyes deal after Hamann’s Alonso comments
But West Ham may want to hold off on the Moyes deal after Didi Hamann’s Alonso comments.
Because former Germany, Liverpool and Newcastle midfielder Hamann has told Get German Football News he believes Alonso will likely leave for a new challenge in the summer.
The ex midfielder turned pundit thinks the likes of Real Madrid or Bayern Munich may come calling. But he states Alonso could leave for pastures new regardless.
And Hamann believes that will become clear as soon as next month or March, giving the Hammers plenty of time to hand Moyes a deal if a move for Alonso is a no-go.
“I think they (Leverkusen) have beaten the record of Hamburger SV, having gone 25 games unbeaten in competitive matches this season, and they have only drawn three or four, so what they have done is very hard to put into words,” Hamann said.
“This is a team that Xabi Alonso took over last year when they were second from bottom in the Bundesliga table, and now they play very dominant football, and it is a joy to watch. Pace, power, guile – and they even defend well…. I think they will win the league this season.
“With Xabi, they will find it hard to replace him, as he has worked wonders in the eighteen months since he took over the club, but usually they are well prepared for these situations. Come February, come March, they will have an idea of whether Xabi will stay or not. The public may not know by then, but I am sure the club will. If he does go, I am sure they will get a good replacement. Can they truly replace him? No, they can’t, but I am sure they will bring in a very good manager. It is up to Xabi if he wants to leave…
“But I think there is a chance that he will leave in the summer.”
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