‘It feels great to be home’: David Moyes’ West Ham return confirmed on 18-month deal as Scot insists squad is better than when he left in 2018
- David Moyes was previously boss between November 2017 and May 2018
- He will take immediate charge for New Year’s Day clash with Bournemouth
- West Ham confirmed sacking of predecessor Manuel Pellegrini on Saturday
- Moyes will move swiftly to add Stuart Pearce and Alan Irvine to backroom staff
David Moyes has completed his return to West Ham United as manager after signing an 18-month deal at the London Stadium.
The former Manchester United and Everton manager previously left the east London club at the end of the 2017-18 season but returns to replace Manuel Pellegrini who was sacked following a 2-1 defeat by Leicester City on Saturday.
The move will see Moyes take charge immediately for the Hammers home clash with Bournemouth on New Year’s Day.
David Moyes poses with a West Ham shirt after being confirmed as the club’s new manager
Moyes has penned an 18-month deal just over a year following his London Stadium exit
‘It’s fabulous to be back,’ Moyes told the club’s website. ‘It feels great to be home. I’ve missed being here because I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed being around the stadium and I loved being in this part of the world and I missed the Club, so I can’t wait to get started.
‘I’m feeling very proud that I’m back here at West Ham. But I think more importantly I’ll be looking to see what I can do and what I can make improvements to, how we can get some wins with the players and how we can get some quick wins on the field as well.
He will take the Hammers hot seat for their New Year’s Day clash with Bournemouth
‘I do believe that the squad of players I’ve got here is a better squad of players than when I took over before, so I am looking forward to working with them.’
‘I think there’s got to be a short-term goal for us just now to get the wins to get us away from the wrong end of the league and what we’re going to do over the next six months, then what we’re going to do over the next period as well. The start is really focusing on the immediate games.’
The Scot guided the Hammers to safety in his first spell at the club before they decided not to offer him a new contract and instead appointed Pellegrini.
Moyes, who spent seven months in charge of West Ham between November 2017 and May 2018, is now ready to add Pearce and Irvine to his backroom staff.
Moyes is set to name Stuart Pearce and Alan Irvine as his assistants at the club
Both Pearce and Irvine served as Moyes’ assistants during his first spell at the club but left after his contract at the club wasn’t extended.
Pearce has experience as both a manager and an assistant, having spent time in charge of Manchester City, England Under 21s and Nottingham Forest.
Irvine, meanwhile, has worked under Moyes for most of his managerial career since their days at Preston North End, while he also had a brief stint as a manager of West Brom in 2014.
Moyes has spent 15 seasons managing in the Premier League, including an 11-year spell with Everton and unsuccessful stints with Manchester United and Sunderland.
Hammers legend Pearce will be part of David Moyes’ backroom staff for a second time
Moyes will also appoint Irvine, who has worked alongside him throughout his career
West Ham joint-chairman David Gold is confident that Moyes is the man to move the club, who sit 17th in the Premier League and just a point above the relegation zone, up the table.
‘David proved in his short time with the club that he was capable of getting results and we believe that he will start moving the club in the right direction once again,’ Sullivan said.
‘We are delighted to welcome David back – he knows the club well and he built strong relationships during that time which will be crucial for the work that needs to be done going forward.’