Former West Ham United manager David Moyes believes his replacement Julen Lopetegui deserves ‘an opportunity’ to turn things around after a disappointing start to the season. 

Moyes told the BBC’s Football Daily podcast: “I think the new manager coming in needs time and to be given that opportunity to set things the way he wants them to happen. They look as if they’re a bit more open than they’ve been before and more liable possibly to concede. But they’re desperately trying to score more goals as well.

Lopetegui has already suffered huge defeats to Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and Chelsea by three goals or more, however despite being known for his defensive style,  Moyes also suffered some huge defeats during his time at the club. The Scotsman said: “I had a few defeats where we lost heavily at different times, so it happens for all managers.”

Many Hammers fans believed having no European Football would have benefitted the team, however it hasn’t really panned out like that. In fact, with a new manager, the extra matches may have helped the team gel as they are currently only playing one match a week. Moyes emphasized: “This time last year, I think we’d played about five or six more games than what they have just now, because we had the European competition to compete with as well. So the players there should be much fresher, bigger energy, showing that. But I just think that the manager needs to be given an opportunity, a bit of time to settle things down.”

The West Ham team has been very unsettled so far this campaign. with a different centre-back partnership for Kilman almost every game, as well as consistent changes in midfield and attack. The Hammers could really benefit with a consistent starting eleven to get a run of form going to fire them higher up the table, where they should be after investing so much money into the playing squad.

However, all of the blame can’t go on the manager and Moyes has come to Lopetegui’s defence by saying the players need to take responsibility also, “Sometimes players need to perform as well, they need to step up and show what they’re about” he said. “I’m sure a few of them can play better and show the manager exactly what they can do.”

Players like Lucas Paqueta, Edson Alvarez and Emerson Palmieri are three players that have really declined this season after excelling under David Moyes, they were key to the teams successes last season but have failed to find any consistent form in 24/25 which has really hindered the teams progress. Given time, Lopetegui could turn things around, however, whether he will get that time remains to be seen. The Athletic has reported that another bad performance at London Stadium against Everton on Saturday could be the final straw.