West Ham have named David Moyes as their new manager but should they have seriously considered Notts County boss Kevin Nolan?
Slaven Bilic looks on prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Liverpool.
West Ham United fans are getting used to the news that David Moyes has been named as the club’s new manager following the sacking of Slaven Bilic.
It would be fair to say that the reaction ranges from being underwhelmed to downright furious that the Hammers hierarchy have appointed a boss who was relegated rock bottom from the Premier League with Sunderland last season.
David Moyes, manager of Sunderland, looks on during the Premier League match against Swansea City.
Those arguing in favour of Moyes suggest the Scot is a safe pair of hands and has bags of experience in the division, but in truth it is a move that is unlikely to excite.
Reports from the Sun that West Ham made attempts to bring in Carlo Ancelotti, Rafa Benitez and Roberto Mancini as Bilic’s successor always seemed a little ambitious, but that doesn’t mean an adventurous signing couldn’t have been made.
Which is why perhaps more serious consideration should have been given to bringing Kevin Nolan back to East London, who is currently impressing in League Two having guided Notts County to the top of the table.
Kevin Nolan looks on during a pre-season friendly match between Notts County and Nottingham Forest.
Nolan’s managerial career is still young, but his ambition is sky high and he is a popular figure at the London Stadium having played for the club for four years.
The 35-year-old told the Nottingham Post in the wake of Bilic’s dismissal that there had been no contact about him taking charge, but did reveal his love for the Hammers and that his family still lives in the area.
Hiring Nolan would have been a huge gamble that may not have paid off, but then so is appointing Moyes and at least it would have shown a little bit of left-field thinking from co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan.
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