West Ham United announced on Monday that manager David Moyes will be leaving the club “by mutual consent” at the conclusion of the current season when his contract expires.
This decision follows the team’s recent 5-0 defeat to London rivals Chelsea, marking a disappointing end to Moyes’s second spell in charge of the Premier League club.
In a statement released by West Ham, the club confirmed Moyes’s impending exit and expressed gratitude for his contributions during his tenure.
“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.
Speculation has been rife in the media regarding Moyes’s replacement, with reports suggesting that former Real Madrid and Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui is set to take over following the conclusion of the season.
The announcement comes amidst mounting pressure on Moyes, exacerbated by the team’s recent poor performance and a season characterized by criticism from fans for perceived negative tactics.
Despite guiding West Ham to the Europa Conference League title last season, Moyes has faced challenges throughout the campaign, with the team currently sitting ninth in the Premier League table, significantly adrift of the top four.
Reflecting on his time at West Ham, Moyes expressed pride in the progress achieved during his tenure, including securing consecutive seasons in European competitions and winning the club’s first major trophy in over four decades.
“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 told the club’s website.
“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.”
The 61-year-old Scot, a former manager of both Everton and Manchester United, added: “After leading the club (West Ham) to safety, we guided the team to finishes of sixth and seventh 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.”
West Ham’s joint-chairman, David Sullivan, commended Moyes for his contributions to the club’s progress and success, describing him as an “absolute professional.”
Sullivan expressed gratitude for Moyes’s dedication and announced that the decision to part ways was made with two games remaining in the season to “allows Moyes 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”.
“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,” added Sullivan, who hailed Moyes as an “absolute professional”.
As Moyes prepares to depart, attention now turns to the potential appointment of Julen Lopetegui as his successor.
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.
The former Porto and Sevilla manager helped lift Wolves from the bottom of the table to a 13th-placed finish during his time in charge at Molineux.
