David Moyes has shared the truth about the Tim Steidten ban and makes a major West Ham job claim when he faced the press.
Whatever your stance on David Moyes and whether he should go or stay at West Ham it was hard not to feel for him today.
The Scot faced a busier than usual press room ahead of West Ham’s trip to Chelsea.
And he knows why they were there.
When the football press smell managerial blood they’re not shy about feasting.
The vultures are circling.
It’s hardly surprising given every spit and cough of the club’s search for a potential new manager seems to have been played out in the press and on social media over the last 10 days.
West Ham have always insisted no decision will be taken on Moyes’ future until the end of the season.
Media vultures circle around Moyes
The manager has towed that same party line too.
In the meantime the Hammers appear to have been doing due diligence on a potential successor by compiling a sizeable “shortlist” of candidates.
It is anything but short with no less than 15 managers being linked in the last week or so.
Tim Steidten, West Ham’s technical director, has been tasked with finding a potential replacement.
The German – seen as integral to any hopes the Hammers have of rebuilding the smallest and second oldest squad in the league – has, somewhat bizarrely, been criticised by some fans for this.
Especially after the revelation yesterday that Steidten has been banned from being around the West Ham first team for the remainder of the season.
Yesterday West Ham issued an eight-word response to Hammers News about the Steidten ban claims.
The response only served to add to the mystery and intrigue.
Moyes shares truth about Steidten ban
Now we have word from the horse’s mouth so to speak.
Because Moyes has shared the truth about the Steidten ban and made a major West Ham job claim.
Speaking in his pre-Chelsea press conference, as broadcast by Sky Sports News, Moyes confirmed Steidten’s ban and the reason behind it.
And the Scot insists he does still want to remain West Ham manager next season.
“Absolutely (the reason for Steidten’s ban is to keep players and staff focused),” Moyes said.
“We don’t want any distractions, we’re keeping our eye on the ball. Tim has his job to do and I’ve got my job to do. We’ve got three games to play.
“So we want to keep focused on those games.
“We’re going about our jobs, my job is to win the games and I’ll do everything I can to do that…
Moyes makes major West Ham job claim
“Absolutely (I still have the hunger to be West Ham manager), football hunger? I’m nearly a bit embarrassed, for you, that you asked me that question.
“Because I’m a football nut, love my football, go to games, watch games, love it I really do.
“So yea I’ve got a great hunger for football. Absolutely yes (to do it with West Ham next season).
“I said to everybody we’ll make a decision at the end of the season.”
The trouble for Moyes is that his team are not making a strong case for the owners to keep him.
West Ham have won just four games in 22 in 2024. They have conceded more goals than any club outside the bottom three. And the Hammers have not kept a clean sheet in 14 league games, their worst record since 2020.
If Moyes is make a late charge to convince his doubters – and the board – he should remain, then three wins from the last three won’t hurt.
You can see West Ham’s footage from Moyes’ press conference below.