Danny Murphy has waded into the middle of the furore surrounding West Ham United’s decision to appoint David Moyes as Slaven Bilic’s replacement.
West Ham called time on Slaven Bilic’s tenure as boss on Monday morning in the wake of the terrible 4-1 defeat at home to Liverpool last time out.
That loss leaves the Hammers in the bottom three at the quarter way stage of the season and with the international real co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold decided now was the time to act.
It has been football’s worst kept secret that former Everton, Manchester United and Sunderland boss David Moyes was to be Bilic’s replacement and that was made official on Tuesday morning.
The news has been greeted with fury from Hammers fans who have called for the owners to sell the club such is their disdain for the appointment.
Respected pundit Danny Murphy told talkSPORT he understands why West Ham fans would have doubts over the appointment but feels they must ditch their romantic ideals.
“I love West Ham fans’ passion but everyone does this thing where they say ‘We need someone who loves the club’ well you don’t actually by the way,” Murphy said on talkSPORT.
“It’s a myth, an absolute myth, what about the lad who is now at Watford who was at Hull (Marco Silva)? He hasn’t got a clue about Watford and they’re flying.
“There’s an opinion from a lot of West Ham fans that the next one in has to understand the club, what it means and what should be going on… they don’t.
“Listen if Moyes isn’t the man then fine I accept their opinion … but what I’m saying is what is your criteria for the next manager? It should not be that he knows the club and how it works and all that rubbish… it’s absolute nonsense.
“What is important is, is he good at his job? Can he move the club forward? Has he got a bigger/longer term picture? What’s he going to do to make it better?”
Murphy admitted Moyes’ recent CV did not make for impressive reading and also described his much heralded time at Everton as ‘up and down’.
One thing is for certain Moyes will have to hit the ground running if he or the owners are to have any hope of getting the West Ham fans onside.
The Hammers faithful demand 100% effort and a certain way style of play but they are also a knowledgable bunch and accept that short-term they may have to sacrifice the latter to grind out results.
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