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Despite yet another terrible week for the club, West Ham United are reported to have no plans to fire manager David Moyes.
Just as the club looked to have their relegation form turned around, the side endured a demoralizing 4-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Saturday.
On the heels of two Premier League campaigns that resulted in European qualification, the Hammers were anticipated to again contend for a top-seven finish.
West Ham Set for a Relegation Battle
Instead, West Ham is in 16th place, only one point above the relegation zone, with only 23 points from 25 matches.
Before the club’s match against Nottingham Forest at the end of last month, it was speculated that Moyes’ dismissal would follow from a loss in that match.
West Ham won by a score of 4-0, with all four goals coming in the fourth quarter, but has subsequently suffered defeats at Manchester United in the FA Cup and Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League.
After capitulating at Old Trafford on Wednesday night, West Ham repeated the performance on Saturday when the Seagulls defeated them 4-0, prompting supporters to clamor for Moyes’ dismissal.
The Scot stated after the game that, while the response was understandable, he hoped that the fans will continue to support his club through a crucial stretch of the season.
The Daily Mail reports that West Ham will play those matches with Moyes still in charge, as the club’s management has no plans to make a change.
The story indicates that the board will continue to support the veteran manager at least until the international break later this month.
West Ham have just three games remaining, one of which is a home Premier League match against Aston Villa, while their trip to Manchester City has been postponed due to the Citizens’ FA Cup commitments.
Hammers Still in Contention for Europe Despite Relegation Worries
West Ham will face AEK Larnaca twice in the final 16 of the European Conference League, a competition that offers a chance of a trophy, either side of the Villa match.
West Ham enter Thursday’s opening leg in Cyprus having won all eight of their tournament matches throughout the 2022-23 season.
However, only one victory has been recorded in their last six matches across all competitions, and nine goals have been conceded in the most recent three away matches.
The Hammers will have to see a drastic turnaround under Moyes if they are to stay afloat in the English top-flight and may well be willing to sacrifice their chance of European silverware to secure another lucrative season in the Premier League.
West Ham have been one of the mainstays of the top division in recent seasons and fans would be outraged if they were to be demoted to the EFL Championship.
Though the Irons would have a bigger budget and fanbase than many of the Championship sides, without an instant return to the top flight the side could well be trapped in the second tier as has been seen with big sides before.
After suffering relegation after the 2003/04 season, Leeds United had to wait 16 years before they were promoted back to the top flight under Marcelo Bielsa. The Yorkshire Giants could well be one of the clubs that are relegated again this season after losing to Chelsea at the weekend.
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