West Ham confirm David Moyes to leave Premier League club at end of season - 'Held in the highest esteem'
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Published 06/05/2024 at 17:23 GMT
West Ham lost 5-0 to Chelsea at the weekend and that appears to have been the last straw for the club after months of speculation that David Moyes would leave at the end of the season. The club have now confirmed that the 61-year-old Scot will depart once his contract expires, amid reports that former Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Julen Lopetegui will replace him.
David Moyes, Manager of West Ham United, looks on during the warm up prior to the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 Quarter-Final first leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and West Ham United.
Image credit: Getty Images
West Ham have announced that David Moyes will depart the club at the end of his contract once the 2023/24 season ends.
The Hammers were defeated 5-0 by Chelsea at the weekend, the second consecutive Premier League away game in which they have conceded five goals.
They had also lost four of their last eight league matches, and won just one of the others, as Moyes struggled to keep the club’s season alive.
West Ham are currently in ninth place, five points behind Manchester United, who have two games in hand, meaning there is little chance of European football next season.
“I have enjoyed four and a half brilliant years at West Ham, and the club is in a stronger position than when I returned back in 2019," Moyes said in a statement.
“When I joined West Ham for a second time, the club was one place above the relegation zone, and it has been a terrific journey to have achieved three consecutive seasons in Europe.
“After leading the club to safety, we guided the team to finishes of 6th and 7th in the Premier League, and I was delighted when we won the Europa Conference League title last June – the club’s first major trophy in 43 years.
“I would like to thank all the players for their support, and all the success they have achieved, over the last four and a half years. I have really enjoyed working with everyone at West Ham, and I would like to thank the board for giving me the opportunity to manage this great club."
Pressure had been building on the former Everton manager this campaign as fans’ ambitions were raised by the success of the previous campaign.
Under Moyes they won the UEFA Europa Conference League, but sold captain Declan Rice to Arsenal in the summer, while playmaker Lucas Paqueta is being linked with a move away from the club this summer.
West Ham joint-Chairman David Sullivan said: “On behalf of everyone at West Ham United, I would like to offer our sincere thanks and gratitude to David for the contribution he has made to the Football Club during his time as manager.
“David has been responsible for a period of great progress and success in our history, and we are extremely grateful for all of his hard work, commitment and dedication to the role.
“David has been an absolute professional to work with and he will leave with our greatest respect and good wishes – he deserves to be held in the highest esteem for the service he has given to West Ham United, and we wish him every success in the future.
“By making this announcement now, it allows David to get the send-off he deserves from the West Ham supporters and for us all to show our appreciation to him at our final home fixture of the season against Luton Town on Saturday.”
West Ham had been linked with Ruben Amorim of Sporting Lisbon as a potential replacement for Moyes but appear to have alighted on Julen Lopetegui, the former Wolverhampton Wanderers manager.
The club said that "the recruitment process for David's successor has begun," but added: "The club will be making no further comment until a new appointment is confirmed."
Moyes was appointed manager of West Ham for the first time in 2017 and he took them out of the drop zone, but left at the end of the season in 2018. He returned in December 2019 for his second tenure.
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