Slumping to a last-gasp 2-1 loss at home against Crystal Palace over the weekend, it is fair to say that West Ham have found themselves in the midst of a Premier League nightmare since opening the 2022/23 campaign.
While the Hammers might have gained a string of plaudits after reaching the Europa League semi-finals last season, David Moyes now finds himself under a huge amount of scrutiny in east London.
Picking up just a quartet of Premier League victories from their opening 14 appearances, fans around the London Stadium are growing frustrated by Moyes’ uninspiring approach.
Despite breaking the bank over the summer and recruiting European superstars such as Gianluca Scamacca and Lucas Paqueta, the one-time Manchester United boss has failed to offer West Ham a new direction.
Now holding just a two-point buffer over the drop zone, West Ham could have one eye on replacing Moyes during the extended World Cup break.
With the likes of Aston Villa, Wolves and Southampton all changing their managers over recent weeks, we have taken a look at a few managerial free agents that are looking for a new adventure.
Mauricio Pochettino
While West Ham might have cruised their way to the Round of 16 in this year’s Europa Conference League, it would seem that a potential move for Mauricio Pochettino could be a tad ambitious.
Reportedly turning down the chance to replace Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa last month, the former PSG boss is still without a new position after leaving Paris over the summer.
However, with it suggested that the ex-Tottenham manager is ready to jump back into the hot seat, the West Ham hierarchy could be tempted to make an audacious swoop for the 50-year-old.
Bringing in a host of international stars after spending in the region of £170million during the summer transfer market, the Hammers are crying out for a more attacking-minded man in their dugout.
Leading Spurs to a first Champions League final back in 2019, Pochettino has a host of European experience and would undoubtedly be a real scoop for the east London outfit.
Andre Villas-Boas
Although Andre Villas-Boas might still be somewhat trying to rebuild his reputation after downbeat spells at both Chelsea and Tottenham, the Portuguese boss had appeared to have found his feet during a two-year stay with Marseille.
While the 45-year-old might have left France following a falling out with the OM hierarchy over a difference of opinion in regards to their transfer targets, Villas-Boas had gained plenty of plaudits.
Guiding Marseille to a silver medal finish and helping the French giants end their six years of Champions League exile, ‘AVB’ had turned Les Phoceens into a formidable side.
Despite now being without a new challenge since leaving Marseille in February 2021, it has been suggested that Villas-Boas is keen on making a return to management sooner rather than later.
Heavily linked with the vacant Aston Villa job last month along with Pochettino, the former Chelsea boss still has the feel of a manager looking to prove a point.
Domenico Tedesco
While RB Leipzig might have endured a sluggish start to the 2022/23 campaign, some were surprised to have seen Domenico Tedesco handed his marching orders back in September.
Despite only taking charge at the Red Bull Arena nine months prior, the former Schalke boss appeared to have made an immediate impact and played a crucial role in Leipzig’s charge for a top-four finish.
Likewise, along with reaching the semi-finals of last season’s Europa League, Tedesco also guided the Bundesliga outfit to a first-ever DFP Pokal crown following a penalties victory against Freiburg back in May.
Writing himself into Leipzig folk law, the Italian coach also received plenty of praise after helping Chelsea target Christopher Nkunku burst onto the European scene.
Guiding Schalke to a stunning second-place finish in his first season at the Veltins-Arena, Tedesco is still just 35 and could prove to be an interesting move for the Hammers and their young attacking stars.
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