David Moyes‘ position as West Ham manager is under threat just seven months after leading them to a first major trophy in four decades.
Scores of fans walked out of their 6-0 rout by London neighbours Arsenal earlier this month, and after a winless run of eight games in all competitions the club is believed to be in the process of sounding out replacements.
Moyes’ contract expires at the end of the season and while it has been reported the club were set to offer him a two-year extension, his future looks increasingly uncertain.
An uninspiring style of play and overcautious tactics have repeatedly come in for harsh criticism, despite West Ham still being in the top half of the table.
Fans unrolled a “Moyes Out” banner during their latest defeat, a 2-0 loss to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
After that loss at the City Ground, Moyes said: “Maybe they [the fans] want a change. Maybe they have had managers who excite them more. But the one who is sitting here wins more.”
i looks at the contenders who could replace him.
Potter is a clear-cut example of someone with a more exciting style of play than Moyes, for which many fans have been calling. He did an excellent job in a three-year spell at Brighton, leaving them fourth in the table when he departed for Chelsea, and his name has been bandied about as an eventual successor to England manager Gareth Southgate.
But he floundered with the Blues and was axed after just seven months in charge, losing 11 out of 31 games, and has since been out of work since April 2023.
His high-risk, high-reward playing style won admirers at Brighton and would make a welcome change for many from Moyes’ defensive set-up. Potter’s possession-based, attacking football may be the best way to tap into Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus’ attacking potential.
The former Swansea City manager has Premier League experience and, ignoring a dismal interlude at Chelsea, was highly regarded both at the Wales club and the first side he managed, Swedish outfit Ostersunds FK, who he took from the fourth tier to the Europa League.
Julen Lopetegui
Julen Lopetegui won the Europa League with Sevilla in 2020 after just a year in charge but was then sacked in October 2022. He was a big-name appointment for Wolves later that year, having previously (briefly) managed Real Madrid, and he is reportedly keen on a move back to the Premier League.
His wider managerial CV has been similarly hit and miss, getting the axe from Madrid after a 5-1 defeat by Barcelona but rescuing Wolves from the drop. They eventually finished 13th, up from bottom when he joined, in 2023. But the Spaniard left the club that summer out of frustration over budget constraints and transfer policy.
He may be more positive about West Ham, who enjoy far greater squad depth than Wolves and should have more room to manoeuvre in the transfer window.
Previously head coach of the Spanish national side, his tactical abilities also fit the profile of other managers on this list. At Sevilla he promoted high-tempo attacking football and over-achieved considering the squad he had available.
Former Nottingham Forest boss Cooper was hugely popular at the City Ground but was sacked after just two years in December. He took the side from bottom of the Championship to promotion in 2021-2022 and weathered a storm of poor results the following season to keep a much-changed squad in the Premier League rivals expect Nottingham Forest to suffer FFP points deduction
The Welshman was not so lucky this season and was dismissed after winning only one game in 13 matches. He has been out of work since.
Closely linked to the Palace job before Oliver Glasner was hired, Cooper was praised for his ability to promote a culture around the club that was bigger than just results.
The sense of togetherness and an improved mentality among the East Midlands side went hand in hand with greater confidence on the ball.
His adeptness in developing young players and maintaining the confidence of the dressing room will also appeal to the West Ham board, especially given rumours of complaints by players and waning confidence in Moyes’ tactics.
Cooper’s possession-based style and willingness to adapt formations based on the opposition and players available would also be assets.
Paulo Fonseca
Lille manager Fonseca has been on West Ham’s radar since 2018, when he was first mooted as a possible replacement for Moyes. That rumour picked up steam again in April last year when Moyes’ job was again under threat.
His contract with the French side – who sit fourth in the top flight – expires at the end of the season. His brand of attacking football and ambitious 4-2-3-1 formation would be a marked shift away from Moyesball.
Fonseca’s name has been floated as a Premier League manager before, almost taking charge at London rivals Spurs in 2021 after leaving Roma.
He spent two underwhelming seasons at the Serie A side, but the fifth-placed finish in his first season as well as the Europa League semi-finals they reached the following year would be an upgrade on West Ham’s recent performances.
Before his Italian job he won the domestic double of Ukrainian league and cup in three successive years at Shakhtar Donetsk, but how he would fare in a highly competitive Premier League is up for debate.
Thomas Tuchel
An outside shot, Tuchel may be reluctant to swap the prestige of Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena for east London – but he may not have much choice.
The German has come under pressure as the Bundesliga champions have suffered three defeats on the bounce for the first time since 2015 and face the prospect of breaking an 11-year league winning streak.
If Tuchel does get the sack, a return to London and the Premier League may not be off the cards, as he is said to have enjoyed his time in the city when Chelsea manager.
His appointment would bring a manager of stature and world-class tactical nous to West Ham and possibly also prevent the exit of technical director Tim Steidten, who the club’s hierarchy are keen to keep.
Steidten is reportedly unhappy at the club, particularly with Moyes, and intends to leave in the summer.
