Moyes is Good For Business

So that settles it. After all the speculation and all the threats by fake reports that David Moyes was moving on, its finally over. He has a contract in hand and he’s telling the world it’ll be up to him whether he takes it or not. As we’ve reported here several times, Moyes was never going anywhere. The board, the owners, all feel Moyes is good for business. But what does it mean? 

Whether you’ve been a Moyes IN or OUT supporter the reality was it didn’t make difference with the ownership group. In Moyes’ second stint with the team he saved them from relegation, posted two top-seven finishes, reached a Europa semi-final and won a Europa Conference title. This year alone he has gotten the team to the final 16 for Europa while handling his business in the Premier League beating Arsenal and Tottenham away for the first time in his career. He and West Ham are currently sitting in 8th position holding on to a Europe tournament qualifying spot. One point ahead of Newcastle and tied in points with Brighton. 

Take a perennial mid-level football club and hand them those results they’ll all take it. Newcastle, Brighton, Everton and so on would take that deal tomorrow if they could. But with a taste of success, the fan base wants to knock on the door of the top 5 or 6 teams and make a run at the top of the league and secure a Champions League spot. Thanks to the London Stadium and its ability to sell over sixty-two thousand tickets a match, West Ham are now climbing up the financial ladder to eventually be on par with Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City and Man United. Under Moyes, they have spent more in one season than any other season before. 

On the talent evaluation side, Moyes has found players like Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta, Emerson, Thomas Soucek, Vladimir Coufal, Alphonse Areola all of whom have made major contributions. He’s also struck out a couple of times with Gianluca Scamacca, Nicolo Vlasic, Danny Ings, Said Benrhama, Maxwell Cornet and Thilo Kehrer. 

All in all it hasn’t been bad. He was a big influence on getting James Ward Prowse this past summer and Kalvin Phillips in the January window. He’s worked closely with Rob Newman, Tim Steidten and Mark Noble on bringing the right players. The new contract says he will have the ability to continue building what he started. 

SO WHAT HAPPENED IN JANUARY ? 

We’ve also reported in the past that there is no strife between he and Steidten. Moyes was part of recruiting Steidten, he signed off on Steidten to owner David Sullivan. As a matter of fact, its more of a Steidten / Moyes vs. Sullivan situation. Moyes has taken subtle shots at the ownership group and board all season long. 

Moyes recently commented about Steidten, “You know how many deals get done in the last day” Moyes questioned at a recent press conference.” I laugh with Tim about it, He’s German and they’ve got it all done, tools down early, all the stuff done whereas we’re last minute. He’s probably struggling to get used to our culture.” 

Many in the media took those last couple of comments and had a field day reporting about how  angry Steidten must be and how frail their relationship is. What most in the media didn’t realize is the comments were actually in defense of Steidtent and more geared at the frustration both of them were having in the January transfer window to bring in players. 

According to a source, Moyes and Steidten were promised approval of one of their left-wing targets. Having committed to the transfers of Pablo Fornals and Said Benrhama, Sullivan agreed to bring in another player. Those targets were Wilfrred Gnonto from Leeds, Jack Clarke from Sunderland and Jota who had yet to play a game in the Saudi League after signing from Celtic. There were several reports about bringing in Ibrahim Osman, who eventually signed with Brighton, but that was viewed as a move for the future. While they engaged in a contract negotiation with the wrong agent, they would have been able to come back to the table. Sullivan become annoyed with the entire negotiation that he decided to table it for summer. 

But the one that got away was Jota. For all intents and purposes a deal with the team had be struck and he had agreed on a contract. Sullivan held back when he was told he’d have to cover millions in taxes the player would incur had he left Saudi before a two year period. Sullivan’s stance was that he didn’t want to cover for a financial mistake a player made. He felt West Ham and the board shouldn’t be saddled with this debt and that the player should either meet half way or not do it at all. While the player was willing to eat some of the money, a number was never agreed to and the deal died as time on the final transfer day had expired. 

It was a player both Moyes and Steidten wanted. They felt Jota would be the perfect player to replace any injury within the front 4. The perfect depth player and someone Moyes felt he could trust. While Steidten liked other options, he agreed that a veteran like Jota could be exactly what the team needs heading to the last half of the season and would be a good jolt to the offense.  

The failure to land any of their targets led Moyes to start with the pot shots. In recent interviews, Moyes pointed at the lack of depth on the team and that beyond his starting eleven there weren’t any players that could crack the first team. To this point, Moyes and Sullivan have had an understanding. Moyes gets to spend money, but Sullivan still has the final say on spending and be part of the closing negotiations. It's the reason the two have coexisted to this point. It’s another reason why Moyes has been offered a contract. 

In the mean time Steidten has been allowed to feel more at home. He’s reshaped the scouting department and even hired his own brother Moritz Steidten as the head of scouting. There is no dissension between Moyes and Steidtent, they are more in sync than ever. Even when it means standing up to their owner.