After Defeat to Blackburn, It's Now or Never for David Moyes
If the Hammers lose to Leicester City in their final match before the World Cup, it will leave the board with an awkward decision to make. They will be forced to back or sack David Moyes.
It’s harsh but true: the international break presents the perfect opportunity for West Ham to replace their coach, not least because they will have a 43-day cushion until their next Premier League fixture.
For what it’s worth, I’m torn on the issue.
I’ve never been fully on the Moyes train and felt the decision to reappoint him was a mistake. But whatever happens next, he is the coach who steered West Ham to their best continental run of the modern era and made the London Stadium feel like home.
He also saved his reputation, which was under water when he returned to Stratford.
However, Moyes is now in serious trouble.
The Hammers started the season poorly, were eliminated from the Carabao Cup by a rotated Blackburn Rovers side, and fans are becoming restless as a result.
Also of note: defeat on Saturday could send West Ham into the bottom three, which is a million miles from where they expected to be after splashing the cash in the summer transfer window.
There are clear reasons to sack Moyes.
West Ham’s record in the Premier League since the turn of the year has cratered. They’ve won just 10 of their last 32 league fixtures, a fact often overlooked due to their impressive record in Europe.
Moyes’ ability — or willingness — to integrate new arrivals is under scrutiny too. Lucas Paquetá, Gianluca Scamacca, and Thilo Kehrer have shown flashes of quality, but are yet to deliver on their true potential. Question marks also float over the manager’s tactics, use of his bench, and loyalty to out-of-form players.
But there are clear reasons to back Moyes as well.
As noted, history is on the Scot’s side. His record in East London is impressive and it wouldn’t be unreasonable for him to expect loyalty from his employers. He’s earned it.
It’s also unclear who West Ham would appoint if they hit the panic button. Sean Dyche? Maurizio Pochettino? Marcello Gallardo? Since the arrival of Daniel Křetínský, it has become more difficult to predict how the club will act.
And that’s why this weekend’s fixture is so important. If the Hammers win, it will buy Moyes a month to find his balance and attack the next phase of the season with new ideas. But what if they lose? He can’t afford to stew on a loss until Boxing Day — and could face the sack before then anyway.
“International breaks are always difficult, as a manager, as a player, any staff member, you want to make sure you win that last game otherwise you stew on it for the next two weeks,” explained first-team coach Mark Warburton. “Now, you’ve got this unusual scenario of an extended break… the significance there is for all to see.
“We know that every Premier League game is important, at the weekend of course it’s here against Leicester. Going into the break, we need to meet the challenge, deliver the quality of performance that gets three points and excites our fans.”
It’s starting to feel like now or never for Moyes. He must beat Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes.