West Ham issue statement over David Moyes exit
David Moyes is leaving West Ham at the end of the campaign (AFP via Getty)
West Ham have announced that David Moyes will leave the club at the end of the season.
Moyes contract is due to expire this summer and it’s understood that West Ham have agreed a deal with Julen Lopetegui, the former Wolves, Real Madrid and Spain manager, to replace the 61-year-old.
A statement from West Ham on Monday evening read: ‘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.
‘David will depart after four and a half years in charge at London Stadium, during which time he secured two top-seven Premier League finishes, runs to the UEFA Europa League semi and quarter-finals, and victory in last season’s UEFA Europa Conference League, with a 2-1 win over ACF Fiorentina in Prague securing West Ham’s first major trophy since lifting the FA Cup in 1980, and their first European success since 1965.
‘The recruitment process for David’s successor has begun.’
David Moyes guided West Ham to victory in the Europa Conference League last season (AFP via Getty)
Moyes started his second stint at West Ham in December 2019 with the club 17th in the table and a point above the relegation zone.
West Ham ended up avoided relegation that season and in the following campaign Moyes sealed a sixth-placed finish in the Premier League, which secured qualification for the Europa League.
West Ham reached the semi-finals of the Europa League the following year and finished seventh in the Premier League.
Moyes then guided West Ham to their first European trophy since 1965 by winning the UEFA Europa Conference League last season.
Moyes said in the statement: ‘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.
‘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.
‘After leading the Club to safety, we guided the team to finishes of 6th and 7th 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.
‘I have really enjoyed working with everyone at West Ham, and I would like to thank the Board for giving me the opportunity to manage this great Club.
‘I wish my eventual successor, the Directors, the players, the staff, the fans, and everybody at West Ham, all the very best for the future.’
Julen Lopetegui is set to join West Ham (Getty)
West Ham’s joint-chairman David Sullivan said: ‘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.
‘David has been an absolute professional to work with and he will leave with our greatest respect and good wishes – he deserves to be held in the highest esteem for the service he has given to West Ham United, and we wish him every success in the future.
‘By making this announcement now, it allows David 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.’
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