With David Moyes having been shown the door by West Ham, who next for the Hammers?
Despite fulfilling his remit at the London Olympic Stadium, David Moyes has been shown the door at West Ham after only 7 months in charge. In a tumultuous spell that saw victories over the likes of Chelsea protruded by growing fan unrest and player bust-ups, Moyes did a commendable job in keeping the Irons in the Premier League and guiding them to a 13th place finish. The general feeling in East London however from both the majority of fans and the board, was that Moyes was a stop gap and the club needed to go out and secure a big name in world football to take the team to the next level. So here are the candidates to replace Moyes at the London Stadium:
Front Runners
Manuel Pellegrini is currently the bookies favourite (4/6 with Bet Victor) and the former Manchester City manager certainly has the stock required to inspire the Hammers. He galvanised City to an impressive league and cup double in 2014 and will most certainly bring an attacking brand of football to the capital. The other major contender for the job is Newcastle manager, Rafa Benitez. Another man with serious Premier League pedigree and it is well known that the Hammers heirachy are long-term admirers of the Spaniard, who is immensely popular in the North East currently too. Benitez is 7/4 with Ladbrokes to be snared from St James’s Park this summer.
Experienced Outside Punts
West Ham are renowned as one of the biggest clubs in English football and the pull of managing at the Olympic Stadium and being based in London, can attract some bigger names. Claudio Ranieri has recently left Ligue 1 side Nantes and with a Premier League win under his belt with Leicester, could he be the man to bring success back to East London? Ranieri is 5/1 with Bet Victor to replace David Moyes. Unai Emery was informed this week that he is surplus to requirements at Paris Saint Germain and if he was looking for a swift return to management, West Ham could be an ideal destination. Emery is currently 8/1 with Ladbrokes to become the next West Ham manger. Another man who has pedigree at this level is Carlo Ancelotti – the former Chelsea manager has frequently spoken of his affiliation with London and has a resume that would appease the Hammers faithful although he looks to be very much an outside contender here at 25/1 with William Hill..
Premier League Contingent
Closer to home, Eddie Howe of Bournemouth has long been touted as having the potential to manage a ‘bigger’ club and his attacking style of football could encourage the Hammers to take a punt. Howe is currently 20/1 with Bet Victor to exchange the South Coast for East London. Another man that has impressed in the Premier League this season is David Wagner. The enigmatic German battled against the odds to keep Huddersfield in the Premier League and his stock is at an all-time high. It could be perceived to be a gamble from the Hammers board but it could be one worth taking. Wagner is currently 25/1 with Ladbrokes to be the next West Ham manager.