Sources: Update on West Ham pursuit of Rafael Benitez
West Ham will look to appoint Rafael Benitez if they sack David Moyes this season, sources have told Football Insider.
The Hammers currently sit 15th in the Premier League after Wednesday evening’s 5-1 loss to Newcastle United, and pressure is piling on Moyes to turn things around.
Football Insider sources revealed on Friday (7 April) that Moyes is expected to be sacked by West Ham if they lose to Fulham on Saturday.
Only goal difference is keeping the Irons out of the drop zone, with Moyes winning just seven of the club’s 28 league fixtures this season.
West Ham made contact with Benitez over his availability earlier this season when Moyes was facing an uncertain future at the club, but the board eventually kept faith with Scotsman.
But with time running out for Moyes to avoid relegation, it is understood that the West Ham hierarchy are out of patience and demanding results.
Benitez is their top target despite being out of management for over a year, with his last stint coming at Everton.
The Toffees sacked the Spaniard in January 2022 after just six months in charge of the club.
But Benitez boasts plenty of experience across his 27-year coaching career, including Premier League experience with Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle United and Everton.
Benitez took over relegation-threatened Newcastle in March 2016 when the Tyneside club were in a similar position to where West Ham are this season.
The Magpies suffered relegation under the Spaniard, but Benitez stuck with Newcastle and led them back up to the Premier League in 2016/17.
The 62-year-old has overseen 1,171 professional games throughout his managerial career and has a 48.8 per cent win rate across all clubs.
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