The recent decision by Everton to grant David Moyes the wish he long wanted may bring back memories of his time at West Ham and the circumstances that led to his departure from the club.
Moyes left West Ham about 17 months ago and has since returned to manage Everton, where he has been showcasing his managerial qualities once again. During Moyes’ time at West Ham, the club experienced some regression, winning only five games in his final six months, leading to his departure.
Many West Ham fans believe that the club could have been competing for European places had Moyes been in charge during the subsequent £155 million spending spree. In contrast, West Ham has struggled in recent matches, with only six wins in their last 27 games, making them genuine relegation candidates.
One of the key moments that changed Moyes’ tenure at West Ham was when a contract offer was made to him for another three years after a successful 2-0 win against Arsenal in December 2023. However, Moyes had concerns about the terms of the deal, particularly regarding control over transfers, which led to clashes with the technical director at the time, Tim Steidten.
The new terms required Moyes to relinquish ultimate control of recruitment to Steidten, which raised concerns for Moyes, especially given the later poor transfer decisions made by Steidten. Additionally, Moyes was looking for a contract that not only suited him but also his family. One sticking point was the removal of his son, David Junior, from the scouting setup at West Ham, which was a deal-breaker for Moyes.
Now, Everton has granted Moyes another wish by appointing David Junior to their scouting team, something that West Ham’s chief David Sullivan had refused to do. Moyes Junior will be tasked with scouting talent in Europe for Everton, a move that has reportedly pleased Moyes.
This decision by Everton to bring Moyes’ son into the scouting setup could be seen as a direct response to the issues that led to Moyes’ departure from West Ham, where Sullivan’s refusal to accommodate Moyes’ concerns about recruitment and his son’s role played a significant role. Time will tell whether this decision proves fruitful for Everton and Moyes’ tenure at the club.
