Revealed: Big update on David Moyes’ future at West Ham after David Gold’s death
The death of West Ham United’s co-owner David Gold is expected to further weaken manager David Moyes’ position, sources have told Football Insider.
The Scot, 59, has been under growing pressure either side of the World Cup and the team have taken just one point from nine since their Premier League campaign resumed.
Gold is believed to have been a strong advocate of Moyes behind the scenes and would frequently offer him private support and encouragement.
Moyes has brushed aside speculation about his position over the last week and insisted he has a strong relationship with co-owner David Sullivan.
But the manager’s power base is not nearly as strong as it was and he is in a major battle to avoid the sack with his team just one position above the relegation zone and level on points with 18th-placed Everton.
Supporters were furious with the team’s performance in the 2-0 home defeat to Brentford last Friday and there were tens of thousands of empty seats at the London Stadium long before the final whistle as fans headed home early.
There have been growing calls from fans for a change of manager to preserve the club’s Premier League status.
Moyes alleviated some of the pressure by overseeing Wednesday’s 2-2 draw at Leeds United even though they were denied all three points by a comeback Rodrigo Moreno goal.
Gold, 86, died this week after a short illness and his 25 per cent shareholding is expected to pass to his family.
His daughters, Jacqueline and Vanessa, followed him into business — they are chief executive and managing director respectively of Ann Summers and Knickerbox Ltd — but, unlike the children of Sullivan, have not been part of the running of West Ham or board members of club companies.
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