West Ham’s reported David Moyes succession plan is in danger of being put in serious jeopardy by a headline making boss.
There are certain facts which need to be laid on the table when it comes to David Moyes’ situation at West Ham.
The first is to state that the top source inside West Ham has made it clear no decision has been – or will be – made until nearer the end of the season as to whether the Scot’s contract will be extended.
The second is that the manager himself – despite publicly stating he wants to stay with the Hammers – may decide working under the new structure where technical director Tim Steidten leads recruitment is not for him.
Another reported fact from a source inside the club is that Steidten’s appointment could see the German help West Ham replace Moyes with Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso in the summer.
Alonso had seemed destined for one of his three former clubs with links to Real Madrid, Liverpool and Bayern Munich. But the possibility of those eventualities has been ruled out quite emphatically of late.
There has also been real encouragement West Ham could – should they move for him – land Alonso after a reported release clause in his contract was denied and Leverkusen’s CEO said he would be free to leave next summer if he so wishes.
But West Ham’s reported Moyes succession plan is being put in serious jeopardy by the headline making boss.
If the Hammers and Steidten were hoping to stealthily lure Alonso to east London they may have their work cut out.
Because the Spaniard is making serious waves and adding sheen to his already glowing reputation with every passing week.
He and his swashbuckling Leverkusen side have made yet more headlines as they now remain the only unbeaten team in Europe’s top five leagues across all competitions this season.
That’s 18 wins and two draws, the latest of which was against Borussia Dortmund as they maintained their place at the top of the Bundesliga.
Leverkusen’s rise under the man Steidten appointed at Leverkusen has been nothing short of remarkable. At this stage last season, the German side were sitting in 14th, just one point above the relegation playoff.
Now they are hot favourites to win the Bundesliga title.
Many West Ham fans have been excited at the prospect of appointing a young, progressive, modern, attack-minded albeit somewhat inexperienced coach like Alonso.
Especially after his side played West Ham off the park in a thumping pre-season win. And against the backdrop of some West Ham fans jeering the side’s performances despite being five games unbeaten.
Alonso is hardly flying under the radar, though.
His side’s superb brand of front-footed one and two-touch football is winning admirers across Europe.
And that will inevitably result in more competition for West Ham if they do want to make him their Moyes heir.
However, the Hammers will hope they have the trump card in Steidten and his existing relationship with Alonso.
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