Who is the ideal replacement if West Ham sack David Moyes?
Who is the ideal replacement if West Ham sack David Moyes?
Covering 3 managerial targets that West Ham could take on should they sack David Moyes.
David Moyes has had a fantastic few years at West Ham United, transforming them from relegation candidates to European contenders within a year of being appointed (for the second time). However, the Scottish manager is currently under heavy scrutiny after performances have seemed below-par, leading to fans questioning his future at the Hammers. Here, I will go through 3 realistic managerial targets that West Ham could look towards if David Moyes sees his run at West Ham come to an end.
Carlos Coberán ~ West Bromwich Albion
Carlos Coberán is currently the manager of West Bromwich Albion in the EFL Championship, and is rumoured to be the number 1 target for West Ham should David Moyes be sacked. Coberán is a young, but experienced manager, at just 39 years old. Many may remember him from his time at Huddersfield Town, where he enjoyed the longest managerial stint of his career, from the years 2020 to 2022.
Despite only recently joining West Brom in October 2022, West Ham believe they can draw Coberán’s attention towards East London to keep West Ham in the Premier League. Carlos Coberán led Huddersfield Town to a EFL Championship Playoff Final in 2022, where they lost 1-0 to Nottingham Forest, courtesy of a Chelsea loanee Levi Colwill own goal. Do not let this distract you from the fact that Huddersfield were tipped to be relegated by many experts in the 2021/2022 season, and Coberán almost led them to Premier League football.
Many of you may be wondering, if Carlos Coberán led an overachieving Huddersfield Town to a playoff final, why did he leave them for West Brom? Well, according to Yorkshire Post, the Spaniard traded Huddersfield for West Brom due a ‘lack of ambition’ from the Huddersfield owners. Whilst the current owners of West Ham, David Sullivan, Karren Brady and Daniel Kretinsky, seem like they too lack ambition, it would be a big step up for Coberán. Not to mention, David Moyes in the summer of 2022 received heavy backing from the board, in particular, Daniel Kretinsky, who supplied him with a £150m package.
Dominic Tedesco ~ Unemployed
Dominic Tedesco is the former first-team manager of RB Leipzig in Germany, taking over in December of 2021 until September of 2022. Known for his three at the back formation, Tedesco achieved success at RB Leipzig, winning the DFB Pokal against SC Freiberg in May 2022 and losing the DFL-Supercup against Bayern Munich in July 2022. Like Coberan, Tedesco is a young yet experienced manager, having managed in the Bundesliga and the UEFA Champions League for Leipzig at the age of 37.
Tedesco enjoyed some success at Leipzig with his three-at-the-back formation, but many may be wondering if a three-at-the-back formation will suit West Ham’s current crop of players. Personally, I believe it can work; Emerson, Cornet or Fornals on the left side and Bowen or Coufal on the right side allows us to change to a five-at-the-back formation when defending, as well as the players mentioned having good enough attacking abilities to make a difference going forward. The defence should consist of Nayef Aguerd, Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma for now, with a new, top quality centre half being signed in the summer. Although he wouldn’t be my number one choice, Dominic Tedesco is certainly a young, experienced manager that West Ham could look to bring in.
Marcelo Bielsa ~ Unemployed
Marcelo Bielsa is a name that West Ham fans will be familiar with as he is the former manager of Leeds United. Bielsa played a large role in helping Leeds United gain their promotion back to the Premier League with exciting, attacking football and utilising players such as Patrick Bamford, Kalvin Phillips and Jack Harrison to their strengths and ultimately getting the best out of his players. Playing in the Premier League just added to this, with the addition of Raphinha especially, as Leeds finished in a very comfortable 9th place in their first season back in the top flight of English football.
Bielsa is very much known for his exciting, attacking style of play, which we know is something that West Ham fans want to see as it’s almost a complete contrast to David Moyes’ football. Bielsa is a great manager and could certainly help push us up the league table before the end of the season; the points between West Ham and 11th placed Aston Villa is just 7 points, so why not take a punt on someone like Bielsa?
Let me know what you think of the managers in the comments!