West Ham United legend Tony Cottee believes Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick is the obvious candidate to take over from David Moyes if he leaves the Premier League outfit.
The phrase ‘better late than never’ comes to mind.
There were genuine concerns among a fearful fanbase that West Ham United would not have a single new signing in place for this weekend’s Premier League opener against AFC Bournemouth.
But what is it they say about London buses? You wait ages for one, and two – maybe even three – come along at once. David Moyes’ side confirmed the arrival of Edson Alvarez from Ajax on Thursday. Deals have also been agreed for Manchester United’s Harry Maguire and Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse, the Hammers belatedly reinvesting that Declan Rice windfall while strengthening the overall spine of the side.
David Moyes could leave West Ham soon
Former West Ham striker Cottee, meanwhile, has some sympathy for Moyes; a coach who guided the club to UEFA Conference League glory just two months facing near-constant speculation over his future with his contract expiring in 2024.
Cottee hopes to see Moyes see out the final 12 months of his deal. Until then, he says, West Ham should use that time to find a young, up-and-coming head coach to take his place.
“You could argue (West Ham should) in the meantime have a look at some young coaches,” Cottee tells talkSPORT (10 August, 11.40am).
The likes of Graham Potter and former Marseille boss Igor Tudor have been linked of late. For Cottee, however, there is one standout candidate; a 42-year-old former claret-and-blue favourite who turned Middlesbrough from relegation battlers to promotion chasers in the blinking of an eye last term.
“I mean, Michael Carrick stands out a million miles doesn’t he? He’s done a brilliant job at Boro,” Cottee adds.
“(Carrick is) a former West Ham player. He did his learning at Man United. That’s potentially someone to come in and take over at West Ham
“Maybe one day.”
When pressed further on what would constitute a ‘good season’ for his old employers, Cottee insisted that successive European titles may be a realistic ambition.
“Win the Europa League and finish mid-table. Why can’t they?,” he asks. “Of course, Liverpool and Brighton are in there. But West Ham should have won it when they lost to Frankfurt (in 2022).
“So this season; a mid-table finish – don’t be in relegation trouble – get off to a good start and concentrate on the Europa League.”
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