Former England international Darren Bent believes West Ham United should keep the faith with David Moyes while Premier League veteran Rafa Benitez waits in the wings, speaking to talkSPORT (20 February, 4pm).
At the start of October, Bruno Lage lost his job at Wolverhampton Wanderers following a 2-0 defeat at the London Stadium.
There were worrying similarities between that and the insipid, directionless performance West Ham put in during a 2-0 reverse of their own on Sunday afternoon; a lack of fight and a lack of threat epitomising a dispiriting derby loss at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur.
And, with Nottingham Forest to come, reports suggesting that Benitez is ‘on standby’ for West Ham side who dropped into the relegation zone this weekend do not sound great for Moyes’ job prospects (Daily Mail).
“They were terrible,” says Bent, the one-time Spurs striker. “They offered absolutely nothing. Absolutely nothing.
“They are talking about David Moyes being on the brink, and I can understand it because their results have not been good. (But) you look at the last time they were in trouble. Who did they turn to? David Moyes. So, I think you are better off just sticking with him until the end of the season.”
Would West Ham swap David Moyes for Rafa Benitez?
The Scot, as Bent points out, did keep the Hammers up after returning for a second spell in charge midway through the 2016/17 season. And he believes that, while Benitez would be tempted by the opportunity to rebuild his reputation after that disastrous Everton stint, Moyes deserves the benefit of the doubt on the back of two sensational seasons in the capital.
“(West Ham) finished seventh last year,” Bent adds. “I know they’re struggling but they played a lot of games last year, with the European stuff.
“They are still in a great position to win the UEFA Conference League. I get that their form is not great, but I would probably stick with David Moyes until at least the end of the season.
“(Benitez) would probably do it. He’s got the pedigree of doing it. It’s a fresh voice, he’s got pedigree and he’s won big trophies. So (hiring Benitez) would make a bit of sense.
“But, to sack David Moyes now… He’s been in this situation with this club before. He knows how to get out of it. If they get a couple of wins, they’d be out of the relegation zone.
“I would probably keep him.”
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