David Moyes’s departure from West Ham United has been marked by a display of class, but some speculate if there was a subtle jab aimed at the club’s hierarchy, particularly David Sullivan and co., following his farewell.
As the curtains draw to a close on Moyes’s tenure, both the club’s majority owner, David Sullivan, and technical director, Tim Steidten, seemed to have avoided any direct criticisms from Moyes.
Despite assertions from both the club and Moyes over the past five months that no decision would be reached regarding his future until the season’s end, the situation shifted this week with West Ham officially announcing Moyes’s impending departure.
While many anticipated Moyes to express discontentment with the decision, the Scotsman’s response has been measured and devoid of animosity, despite recent talks with other managerial candidates.
Criticism has been directed at Sullivan and Steidten for their handling of the situation, although some view criticism of Steidten as unwarranted given his fulfillment of his professional duties.
It’s widely speculated that Julen Lopetegui will succeed Moyes at West Ham, although the formal announcement is deferred out of respect for Moyes until the season’s conclusion.
Amidst this transition, Moyes has displayed nothing but professionalism and class. He acknowledged that parting ways was best for all parties and harbored no ill feelings toward anyone associated with West Ham. Moyes even extended a gracious message to his successor, Lopetegui, following his farewell match, a 3-1 victory over Luton at the London Stadium.
However, it seems Moyes couldn’t resist a subtle dig at the club’s leadership before departing. During a post-match interview with Sky Sports, Moyes tactfully sidestepped questions about his emotions and memories from his time at West Ham, instead emphasizing the significance of his players. Notably, he omitted any mention of the board, indicating where his priorities lay. When discussing his time at the club, Moyes expressed gratitude to the players, highlighting their importance with the poignant remark, “They’re the ones who really matter.”
“I’ll leave with only good things to say and think about the football club.
“Yea good feelings, aye, of course. Look there’s very few managers that are that successful that they don’t have bad times and lose some games.
“Sometimes it doesn’t go as well as you would like, very few (mangers don’t go through that). But it’s been good here, it really has been.
“A big thank you to all the players who have worked under me because they’re the ones who really matter.”