David Moyes could make shock West Ham comeback if club sack Manuel Pellegrini

Shock return? David Moyes spent just over six months in charge of West Ham before leaving in May 2018
AFP via Getty Images
Giuseppe Muro27 November 2019

West Ham could consider a shock move to bring back David Moyes as manager if they sack Manuel Pellegrini.

The board remain determined to back Pellegrini, but pressure is mounting on the Chilean and Moyes is among the candidates to take over if a change is made.

The Scot has been out of work since he left West Ham at the end of a short-term contract following the 2017/18 season to make way for the appointment of Pellegrini.

However, Everton are also lining up the 56-year-old to replace Marco Silva at Goodison Park and it remains to be seen if he would want to return to West Ham.

Moyes is likely to prefer a return to Everton, where he spent 11 years as manager before joining Manchester United in 2013.

West Ham are desperate for Pellegrini to turn things around, having backed him with £180million to spend in the transfer market.

Owners David Sullivan and David Gold would rather not sack the 66-year-old, but a run of seven games without a win in the League has left the Hammers just one place above the relegation zone.

Pellegrini is the highest-paid manager in the club’s history, on £8m a year.

Moyes remains highly regarded by West Ham following his six months in charge. The club were in the bottom three when he took over from Slaven Bilic in November 2017 and he guided the Hammers to survival.

They finished just two points off 10th-placed Newcastle in 13th.

Moyes was keen to oversee an overhaul of the club’s recruitment programme and scouting network, but he left at the end of his interim deal.

West Ham have since brought in Mario Husillos as director of football, though he is a close aide of Pellegrini and it remains to be seen if he would stay if the manager is sacked.

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Rafael Benitez and Eddie Howe are under consideration should Pellegrini leave, but Moyes and Chris Hughton are likely to be considered more attractive options because West Ham wouldn't need to pay compensation as they are not in a job.

The club will have to pay around £12m to sack Pellegrini, who is 18 months into a three-year contract. But they hope he will arrest their slump and are reluctant to change manager during the season.

A run of games against Chelsea, Wolves, Arsenal and Southampton before Christmas is likely to be a defining period for Pellegrini.

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