What was Rishi Sunak thinking, calling an election in the middle of the Euros? Mickey Ambrose puts football’s big news into context
A lot has happened since my last column. Britain’s entry in the Eurovision Song Contest Olly Alexander was awarded zero in the public vote; Donald Trump became the first US president to be held in criminal contempt of court; and a General Election has been called.
But more to the point, for those who understand the importance of football in our lives, West Ham Manager David Moyes has gone. Moyes, who led the club to their first Europa Conference League Final, and the club’s first trophy in 43 years has left the club after four and half years by mutual consent and has been replaced by Julen Lopetegui the former Spain and Real Madrid Manager.
Lopetegui won the Europa League at Sevilla in 2020 and guided Wolves away from relegation trouble after taking over in November of last season, finishing 13th. He left Wolves because of concerns over their lack of transfer activity. The Spaniard has now signed a two-year deal with the Hammers with an option for a third year.
Lopetegui will be handed funds to improve West Ham’s squad and his first pieces of business could be signing two players from Brazil. The club is already in talks over a deal to sign the 28-year-old Brazil centre-back Fabricio Bruno from Flamengo and the 19-year-old winger Wesley Gassova from Corinthians.
But what of David Moyes’ West Ham legacy? Let us not forget those AMAZING scenes of celebration on the streets of East London following their Europa Cup win. It reminded me of the street parties we had in Poplar High Street where I lived opposite the White Horse Pub for Queen Elizabeth’s Silver Jubilee Year in February 1977.
After West Ham’s last home game of the season against Luton Town which they won in style 3-1 I asked a couple of fans how they felt about David Moyes leaving. “He got a good send off by the fans and we appreciate all he has done for the club,” said Lewis and Duggie,” pictured above, “We the fans want more exciting football.”
Everyone can agree with that, and it’s important to give credit to Moyes for his achievements, even though, after a dreadful run post-Christmas, heavy defeats to Arsenal, Crystal Palace and Chelsea contributed to a joint record highest goals conceded (70) in a Premier League season for the Hammers.
Nevertheless, they still finished in the top ten, 9th to be exact and this is Moyes’ third top ten in four and a half seasons. No West Ham Manager has achieved that since Harry Redknapp over two decades ago. In fact David Moyes had the highest win percentage of previous West Ham managers.
Moyes also comes out on top with an average of 1.34 points per game – higher than the seven full-time managers who came before him and further proof that he took West Ham to new heights in the Premier League. But the fans were not happy with the Moyes Way!
“I have enjoyed four and a half brilliant years at West Ham, and the club is in a stronger position than when I returned back in 2019,” said Moyes in a club statement. “When I joined West Ham for a second time, the club was one place above the relegation zone, and it has been a terrific journey to have achieved three consecutive seasons in Europe.”
Special thanks for Moyes’ performance as West Ham Manager was offered by JointChairman David Sullivan, who said: “David has been responsible for a period of great progress and success in our history, and we are extremely grateful for all of his hard work, commitment and dedication to the role.”
But modern-day football is a brutal business, David Moyes has gone and so has Mauricio Pochettino of Chelsea, who’s next? Erik Ten Hag of Manchester United, even after his spectacular strategic defeat of Manchester City in the Cup Final? Who would want to be a manager?
But let’s get ready for the upcoming excitement of UEFA EURO 2024 which kicks off in Munich on Friday 14 June and ends with the final in Berlin on Sunday 14 July.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had no business calling a General Election on 4 July during the tournament. Let’s hope this doesn’t divert attention from the big news as England once again strives for glory, and, for goodness sake, please God, no penalty shoot-outs.
Mickey Ambrose is a former Chelsea and Charlton player who lives in Stratford.
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