Former footballer turned pundit Steve Sidwell has made a bold claim over the potential next manager at West Ham.

Despite having made a club record this week for the most Premier League points at this stage of the season, there is much speculation over the long term future of David Moyes.

It is understood a decision over a new contract will be made at the end of the season for the Scot, which suits all parties.

However Sidwell, the former Chelsea and Fulham midfielder, appeared on That Peter Crouch Podcast this week, and made a claim about former Hammers and current manager of Wolves Gary O’Neil as being somebody lined up as Moyes’ potential replacement.

“He looks really good,” said Sidwell. “From my insiders, the horse whisperer, he could be a shoo-in at West Ham!”

There is no denying that O’Neil has made a strong impression as a Premier League manager since he took the hot seat at Bournemouth, where he kept the south coast club in the top flight under tough circumstances.

He was then rather surprisingly let go by the Cherries, and has since continued building his credentials at Wolves – with the club fairing well so far this season.

The claim though by Sidwell is certainly one that seems more speculative than fact at this stage, with ExWHUEmployee already reporting many times that no decision on Moyes long term future has been made, and that will come towards or at the end of the current campaign, when his existing contract expires.