David Moyes pleaded for time after West Ham fell to a humiliating 5-1 home defeat to Newcastle United on Wednesday night , but the manager admitted that he would have no complaints if he loses his job.
Moyes, who was booed off after the final whistle, is under huge pressure after Newcastle deepened his side’s relegation worries. The atmosphere was toxic during the closing stages at the London Stadium and West Ham, who are only out of the bottom three on goal difference, face a huge decision over whether to sack the Scot before travelling to Fulham on Saturday.
“As manager you always have to front up,” Moyes said. “I’m a big boy, I’ve left jobs at other times in the past and if that happens I’ll have to go with that. But I really like my job here, I’ve enjoyed my time here greatly, and I really hope we’ve got a couple of big days ahead in the future.”
There have been 12 managerial sackings in the Premier League this season, but Moyes insisted that he retains the support of West Ham’s board. “I’ve got no doubt they are behind me,” he said. “I’m confident in the way they work and what they think, but if you’re a manager and you lose badly like I did tonight, you’re always in jeopardy and I understand that.”
West Ham paid for an awful defensive performance. Callum Wilson and Joelinton both grabbed two goals and Alexander Isak came off the bench to score as Newcastle closed in on Champions League qualification.
Moyes did not complain about supporters leaving early. “I might have walked out tonight as well,” he said. “But sometimes when things aren’t going so well you need everyone behind you. That’s when you stand up and be a true supporter. But I have no qualms with them leaving with a result like that.”
Declan Rice admitted that West Ham were not good enough. “When you play for this shirt the fans want desire and hard work,” West Ham’s captain said. “The effort was there but when you’re five goals down it’s really tough to keep going mentally. I don’t think we’ve conceded five worse goals since I’ve played for West Ham.”
