Very few West Ham fans would have answered “David Moyes” if asked for their ideal replacement for Slaven Bilic.
Moyes’ ultimate appointment by the Hammers on Monday was met with large portions of bemusement among supporters while his rumoured choice of Stuart Pearce for an assistant was seen as something of a silver lining.
The former Everton, Manchester United and Sunderland boss signed a six-month contract until the end of the season and takes charge of West Ham with the club in the relegation zone.
Reaction to the club’s statement has been mixed as Moyes was praised for being “the first Manchester United manager ever to win a trophy in his first season in charge.” But that trophy was the Community Shield…
According to reports, the Scot was rather far down the pecking order among West Ham’s owners as they had already approached a grand total of four managers before arriving at Moyes’ name.
West Ham have been rejected by Ancelotti, Koeman, Dyche and Paulo Sousa before finding agreement with Moyes, according to Sky Italy
— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) November 6, 2017
Respected Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri has revealed that Carlo Ancelotti, Ronald Koeman, Sean Dyche and Paulo Sousa were above Moyes on the Hammers’ shortlist of managerial replacements but all rejected the opportunity to take over at the London Stadium.
And while Moyes may not have been the club’s first choice, Joint-Chairman David Sullivan insists that he has faith in the 54-year-old.
“We need somebody with experience, knowledge of the Premier League and the players in it, and we believe David is the right man to turn things around and get the best out of the players at the Club,” Sullivan said. “He is highly regarded and respected within the game, and will bring fresh ideas, organisation and enthusiasm.
“He proved with Everton that he has great qualities and we feel that West Ham United is a Club that will give David the platform to display those qualities again.”
