When David Moyes was handed an OBE in the King’s New Year Honours he credited West Ham for the achievement.
West Ham started 2024 sitting pretty in the top six and fans belting out ‘champions of Europe’ to anyone that would listen after David Moyes led the club to a first trophy in 43 years six months earlier.
What followed was a dismal year which saw Moyes depart, Julen Lopetegui arrive and the Hammers record just 11 Premier League wins.
West Ham’s malaise in the second half of last season ultimately saw Moyes leave the club.
Things have got worse under Lopetegui, though, despite the Hammers spending £155m on new players for the Spaniard in the summer.
Lopetegui is edging ever closer to the sack with fans chanting for him to be fired.
Things have been so bad that Moyes has even been linked with a return to east London.
He even admitted recently he’d be open to it.
When receiving his OBE this week, Moyes specifically thanked West Ham for the achievement.
Moyes sparks talk of sensational West Ham return
He believes the job he did at the London Stadium and helping the club lift that trophy helped seal the Royal honour.
But he also said he is sad to see his good work at the club being undone this season.
West Ham started 2025 with Moyes watching on as the Hammers were beaten heavily once again by a Man City side who were there for the taking.
Now West Ham have responded as Moyes sparks talk of a sensational return for third term.
The Scot set tongues wagging when it was revealed before the game that he was in the stands.
Sat alongside brother Kenny and son David junior – who was a West Ham scout during his dad’s time at West Ham – Moyes was captured on camera watching the 4-1 defeat.
It led to claims the Hammers’ former boss could be on his way back.
Indeed some West Ham fans even hoped that might be the case as they watched their team crumble at the first sign of any pressure or adversity yet again.
So could a stunning return to the club really be on the cards after his high-profile Etihad appearance?
West Ham respond as Moyes sets tongues wagging on third term
West Ham have responded to top Hammers insider Sean Whetstone on that very question.
And it seems the club are not considering their former boss as a candidate if and when Lopetegui is sacked.
“Although David Moyes was present at the game in Manchester today he is not being considered as a potential successor should Lopetegui lose his job,” Whetstone said.
“While Moyes is liked and appreciated by the West ham board there is a feeling West Ham started letting in lots of goals the last six months under him.”
That is true of course.
But the counter argument would be to wonder what Moyes could achieve with the vastly improved squad the club has since his departure.
After leaving West Ham, Kevin Nolan claimed last season fell apart when word got out amongst West Ham’s players that Moyes would not be staying.
Had circumstances been different and Moyes signed a new deal, results may have been different too.
That we will never know.
Moyes almost certainly wouldn’t be doing any worse than Lopetegui right now.
But just because the Spaniard is looking like completely the wrong hire, doesn’t mean the decision to part company with Moyes was wrong too.
One thing is for sure, if and when West Ham do let Lopetegui go – the club simply has to get the next appointment right.
Or things could start to seriously unravel with grave consequences.
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