West Ham United is set to enter into negotiations with David Moyes regarding a new contract in January. It is anticipated that a two-and-a-half year deal will be proposed and finalized, effectively extending Moyes’ tenure until June 2026.
Insiders emphasize that it’s not yet certain that the 60-year-old Scottish manager will agree to stay, but there is a clear intention to discuss a new contract, and all involved parties are content with the proposed timeline.
A major area of concern for Moyes remains the perceived lack of support from certain West Ham fans who have been openly critical of his management. Originally, West Ham had planned to assess Moyes’ position at the end of the season, as is customary for the club with its managers. There were even indications from within the club that the board was contemplating a change.
While it’s yet to be seen whether Moyes will agree to the terms, there are strong signals indicating his desire to continue. Despite the uncertainty about his future, Moyes has maintained a positive rapport with the board. Should a new agreement be reached, it would signify a remarkable turnaround for Moyes, who was on the brink of dismissal last season and might have departed in the summer had it not been for the Europa Conference League triumph, the club’s first trophy in 43 years, and qualification for the Europa League.
Moyes narrowly dodged the axe last April, securing a lifesaving 1-0 victory over Fulham. Slaven Bilic had been lined up to return to the club.
Returning to West Ham four years ago, Moyes successfully steered the team clear of relegation and subsequently secured European qualification for three consecutive seasons. Nevertheless, he has faced mounting pressure for over a year, with supporters criticizing his tactical approach and questioning his ability to maximize the potential of the talented squad. Additionally, the recent exit from the League Cup at the hands of Liverpool has contributed to further unrest.
Despite these challenges, Moyes can rightfully point to not only the team’s trophy success and sustained European presence but also their ascent to sixth place in the Premier League.
The conclusion of the year saw West Ham secure victories over Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester United. This marks the first instance since 1993-94 that West Ham have triumphed over Tottenham and Arsenal away from home in the same league season.
While there were reported tensions between Moyes and the club’s new technical director, Tim Steidten, last summer, these issues have apparently subsided. The signings of Mohammed Kudus, Edson Alvarez, and James Ward-Prowse, particularly following Declan Rice’s £105 million sale to Arsenal, have proven to be significantly influential.
In response to queries about his contract after their 2-0 win over Arsenal, Moyes expressed a relaxed attitude, stating, “There’s plenty of time to talk about that. We’re not in any great rush. We can get that done when we’re ready. I’m enjoying my time.”
