David Moyes to jet in for West Ham talks to succeed Slaven Bilic as manager

David Moyes is due back in England today for talks to succeed Slaven Bilic as West Ham boss.

Bilic had been under contract until the end of the season but was sacked this morning after speaking with co-owner David Sullivan.

Moyes has been working as a TV pundit in Qatar and is expected back in London tonight for talks with Sullivan, co-chairman David Gold and vice-chairman Karren Brady, which should result in his appointment.

The 54-year-old will be offered a short-term contract with an option for a longer deal plus a substantial bonus should West Ham avoid relegation. The 4-1 defeat by Liverpool on Saturday coupled with Everton’s comeback win over Watford yesterday resulted in the Hammers dropping into the bottom three.

The West Ham board have noted the largely negative fans’ reaction to the speculation surrounding Moyes, although it is understood that Sullivan remains a fan and explored the possibility of appointing the Scot when Sam Allardyce left the club in 2015.

Bilic’s coaching staff have also left with the exception of goalkeeping coach Chris Woods, who worked with Moyes at Everton and Manchester United. It is unlikely, though, that former Everton and United defender Phil Neville will be joining West Ham as Moyes’s No2.

The board had been reluctant to make a change and Sullivan had been quoted as saying they would only do so if things became “desperate”.

The manner of the defeat by Liverpool, following the 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace during which Bilic’s West Ham team managed to throw away a two-goal lead, finally persuaded Sullivan to act.

In a statement the club said: “The chairmen and board of West Ham United would like to place on record their thanks and gratitude to Slaven and his team for their services over the past two and a half years, but believe a change is now necessary in order for the club to move forward positively and in line with their ambition.

“The club’s search for a new manager to take West Ham United forward is under way and an announcement regarding Bilic’s successor is expected to be made over the coming days.”

Sullivan, concerned about the lack of organisation and fitness, had pushed for Bilic to freshen up his back-room staff but that suggestion was rejected by the Croatian, who stayed loyal to assistant manager Nikola Jurcevic, first-team coach Edin Terzic, fitness coach Miljenko Rak and coaching assistant Julian Dicks.

Moyes’s priority will be to shore up a defence that has conceded 23 goals in 11 matches, the worst record in the Premier League.

As for Bilic, he remains a largely popular figure at the club despite his team’s poor form.

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