LONDON – West Ham United manager David Moyes will leave by “mutual consent” when his contract expires at the end of the season, the English Premier League club announced on May 6.
The announcement of the Scot’s impending exit came just a day after the Hammers suffered an embarrassing 5-0 loss to London rivals Chelsea.
“West Ham United can confirm David Moyes will leave the club by mutual consent at the end of the 2023-24 season, when his contract expires,” said a club statement.
The announcement came amid speculation that former Real Madrid, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Spain coach Julen Lopetegui had agreed on a deal to replace Moyes, who is in his second spell as West Ham boss.
The Chelsea defeat was the second successive away game where West Ham conceded five goals following their 5-2 loss at Crystal Palace, another London club.
And it added to the pressure on Moyes that had been mounting all season, with fans criticising him throughout the campaign for perceived negative tactics.
The Hammers are ninth in the table, a huge 18 points adrift of the top four.
Moyes, however, guided West Ham to the Europa Conference League title last season – the club’s first major honour since they won the 1980 FA Cup.
But they were knocked out of the Europa League in April following a quarter-final loss to Bayer Leverkusen.
“I have enjoyed 4½ brilliant years at West Ham, and the club are in a stronger position than when I returned back in 2019,” Moyes told the club’s website.
“When I joined West Ham for a second time, the club were one place above the relegation zone, and it has been a terrific journey to have achieved three consecutive seasons in Europe.”
The 61-year-old, a former manager of both Everton and Manchester United, added: “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.”
West Ham joint-chairman David Sullivan paid tribute to Moyes by saying: “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.
“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.”
Sullivan said making the announcement with two games left to play in the league season “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”.
Lopetegui could now be set to succeed Moyes at the London Stadium.
The Spaniard guided Wolves to Premier League safety last season, but left the Midlands club after nine months on the eve of the new campaign in August due to their financial constraints.
The former Porto and Sevilla coach helped lift Wolves from the bottom of the table to a 13th-placed finish during his time in charge. AFP, REUTERS
