Mauricio Pochettino 'keen to replace David Moyes as West Ham United manager'

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 24 February 2023

Pochettino 'keen to replace Moyes as West Ham manager'

Former Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly interested in replacing David Moyes at West Ham United.

Moyes's job security at the London Stadium continues to come under threat, with the Hammers facing the prospect of relegation to the Championship following a poor run of form in the Premier League.

West Ham have only won one of their last 11 top-flight matches, a run dating back to October, and that solitary victory was a 2-0 success at home against fellow strugglers Everton at the end of January.

The Hammers have lost 13 of their 23 Premier League games in total so far this season, and they currently sit 18th in the table following a 2-0 loss to London rivals Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.

Following a successful spell in Europe last season – reaching the Europa League semi-finals – and securing a top-seven finish in the Premier League, Moyes was backed in the transfer window and handed in excess of £150m to spend on eight new players, including the club-record signing of Lucas Paqueta from Lyon.

West Ham United manager David Moyes pictured on January 21, 2023 © Reuters

However, instead of establishing the Hammers as a regular competitor for the European places, Moyes has seen his side go backwards and slip into a relegation battle at the wrong end of the table, a decline in fortunes that is understood to have put his job under threat.

Moyes has previously been given the vote of confidence from the West Ham hierarchy, but The Times reports that the Scotsman is set to be sacked if the Hammers lose at home against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Should the 59-year-old be relieved of his duties, Football Insider claims that Pochettino would be "keen" to take over as manager at the London Stadium.

The report adds that the West Ham board are aware of Pochettino's interest, and a swift appointment could be made considering the 50-year-old is currently out of work.

Pochettino has spent the last eight months away from management following his dismissal at PSG last summer, despite leading the French giants to the 2021-22 Ligue 1 title.

Prior to his 18-month stint with PSG, the Argentine spent time in charge of Southampton and Tottenham, leading the latter to a second-placed finish in the 2016-17 Premier League season before reaching the Champions League final in May 2019.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) coach Mauricio Pochettino on February 26, 2022 © Reuters

Pochettino is now believed to be ready to step back into management and stated last year that he would be "open" to a return to the Premier League.

"I miss the Premier League. I am really open. I love England and I am living between London and Barcelona, but more in London," Pochettino told reporters.

"My house, my home. I love to be in England. The Premier League is the best league in the world. It's so competitive."

Nevertheless, Pochettino is understood to have turned down the Leeds United managerial vacancy earlier this month, following the sacking of Jesse Marsch, before allegedly rejecting the opportunity to replace Graham Potter at Chelsea.

A potential return to Tottenham, almost four years after his departure in North London, has also been mooted, while the prospect of managing an international team could also be considered by the Argentine.

Meanwhile, Rafael Benitez is the current bookmakers' favourite to succeed Moyes at West Ham, while the likes of Nuno Espirito Santo, Steven Gerrard and Ange Postecoglou are also said to be in the mix.