David Moyes deserves more respect from West Ham United's board. Celebrate his achievements, confirm his exit and then announce Lopetegui.

Plus where is the contact threshold now? And Golden Silva

A proud man and consummate professional, David Moyes deserves more respect. West Ham United’s manager deserved the belated announcement this evening from the United board that even though his contract will not be renewed this summer, he will always be welcomed back warmly by the club with great gratitude for all he achieved in two spells at the London Stadium. Why did it take so long?           

David Moyes. Photo: Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images.

    Moyes deserves a chance for West Ham fans to show their appreciation before the final home game of the season, on Saturday against Luton Town. Make it a party occasion, a big thank you, a proper East End send-off if you like. Eventually, after a day when it became clear that Julen Lopetegui will become the next West Ham manager, West Ham released a statement, confirming Moyes will leave. “By making this announcement now, it allows David to get the send-off he deserves from the West Ham supporters and for us all to show our appreciation to him at our final home fixture of the season against Luton Town on Saturday,” the joint chairman, David Sullivan, said on the club website.

Everyone knew Moyes was going, so don’t hide it, celebrate what he did for West Ham. Managers deserve greater courtesy, and it does not reflect well on the board or enhance the club’s reputation for such a high-profile manager to be treated in this almost off-hand manner. They got it right but it took too long.

        The situation was worsened by the links with other managers. It’s disrespectful to Moyes. Ruben Amorim had talks, then had to apologise to players and supporters at Sporting, and to his Lisbon club for going to London for talks with West Ham. He should have apologised to Moyes. It’s outrageous behaviour. You don’t do that to a fellow-manager, fly in to tout to be someone’s successor.

The more experienced Lopetegui rapidly became favourite. “J-Lo”, as he’s been dubbed by West Ham fans, is available without any need for an expensive buy-out clause. Is he an exciting choice? Time will tell. But first celebrate Moyes, and then bring Lopetegui in. Behave with a bit more dignity.

Moyes rescued West Ham in 2017, and again in 2020, led them to two top-seven finishes, and a European trophy with that unforgettable night in Prague. The Scot, 61, is widely admired within the game. He has overseen 1,148 games with a win percentage of 42.51. It is probably time for him to go.  

I was at the Bridge on Sunday, hearing the West Ham fans’ wry “we’ve got the ball” and “we’ve had a shot” during long periods of Chelsea supremacy, reflected in the 5-0 scoreline. West Ham were so poor. It’s not Moyes’ fault that his players are on the beach. It’s not Moyes’ fault that the club sold Declan Rice and lost some of their midfield authority and urgency. “We are lacking leadership and mental toughness,” he said afterwards. “Somewhere along the lines the players have to take responsibility for doing their jobs.”

                  He’s doing his job, preparing them, and it was hardly a negative-looking line-up with Lucas Paqueta, Mohammed Kudus, Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio starting. Whether they have eased up with nothing left to play for, whether they are not inspired by Moyes any more, or the constant speculation about his future, West Ham players were bereft of ideas and purpose. The season cannot end soon enough. Before it does, West Ham have to show due respect and thanks to Moyes.

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The Kai Havertz dragged-foot penalty controversy did more than anger Bournemouth. It triggered a sport-wide debate on the legitimacy of initiating contact, as the Arsenal attacker did with Mark Travers, Bournemouth’s keeper. It’s a familiar discussion, as the likes of Harry Kane have used the trick. It also brought into focus the PGMOL’s recent push towards a “higher threshold” for contact.

Later on Saturday, Sheffield United felt that Ryan Yates’ goal for Nottingham Forest should have been ruled out for a barge in the build-up by Murillo on Ben Brereton-Diaz. The goal stood, and the reason back was “small contact, maximised the fall”. Officials are under intense pressure but it would help them, and improve the game, if there was great clarity on what constituted an excessive level of contact. Because Travers on Havertz wasn’t.

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Oh, Thiago Silva, Chelsea are going to miss you. They’re going to miss Silva’s authority in possession, organisation and commitment to high standards in games and in training. He’s 39, and his reading of the game, intercepting and passing were outstanding again on Sunday, admittedly against a supine West Ham side, but also while supposedly troubled by a groin strain. He’s footballing royalty, fifth on Brazil’s all-time appearance list with 113 caps, a winner of titles in Italy and France, and a champion of Europe with Chelsea in 2021.

Chelsea are going to miss his role-model inspiration to younger players in dealing with pressure on and off the pitch. He speaks five languages, has made friends at all the clubs he’s played for, and is now expected to return to his native Brazil, seeing out his career with Fluminense where his footballing journey began, a nice romantic end to a fairy-tale. Silva will always have the golden memory of all four sides of Stamford Bridge singing his name, saluting him, and knowing how much they will miss him.