David Moyes voices concerns as West Ham issue ultimatum to Julen Lopetegui

West Ham had lofty expectations for the 2024-25 season following the appointment of Spanish coach Lopetegui as a replacement for Moyes.

Moyes guided West Ham to their first major trophy in 43 years during his second spell at the club but left less than 12 months later.

The appointment of ex-Spain, Real Madrid and Wolves boss Lopetegui was seen as a coup and West Ham backed the 58-year-old in the transfer market, bringing in several signings to bolster his squad.

But the Hammers have won just three of their ten league games and Saturday’s dismal 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest leaves them just 14th in the Premier League, six points above the relegation zone.

Moyes says West Ham look ‘a bit more open’ this season and is surprised they are not ‘fresher’ and ‘more energized’ given they do not have any European commitments.

However, the former boss insists Lopetegui should be given ‘an opportunity’ to turn things around and says the players also deserve criticism for their underwhelming performances.

‘I had a few defeats where we lost heavily at different times, so it happens for all managers,’ Moyes told the BBC’s Football Daily podcast.

‘I think the new manager coming in needs time and to be given that opportunity to set things the way he wants them to happen.

‘They look as if they’re a bit more open than they’ve been before and more liable possibly to concede. But they’re desperately trying to score more goals as well.

‘This time last year, I think we’d played about five or six more games than what they have just now, because we had the European competition to compete with as well. So the players there should be much fresher, bigger energy, showing that.

‘But I just think that the manager needs to be given an opportunity, a bit of time to settle things down.

‘Sometimes players need to perform as well, they need to step up and show what they’re about.

‘I’m sure a few of them can play better and show the manager exactly what they can do.’

Reports say West Ham’s owners have already warned Lopetegui he will be sacked if results do no improve, with a potentially crucial home match against Everton on the horizon.

Following a demoralising defeat to Forest, the Hammers boss said: ‘We have to say first of all sorry for our fans.

‘We are very disappointed today and we have to use these hard moments to push forward and to look forward to the next challenge. We can and we have to do much better.

‘We have to look forward to the next challenge against Everton and try to use this moment to remind us and push us up.

‘Hopefully we can get everybody back together and regroup. I think that we need to have this kind of environment against Everton at home. It’s going to be hard but for sure it’s going to be important for us.

‘We have to be ready to prepare for this match this week and to think that there are a lot of points in front of us. But if we want to achieve good things we have to compete better. We have to be more consistent.’

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