Sami Mokbel has claimed West Ham United were planning on sacking David Moyes at the end of last season before the Europa Conference League win put a spanner in the works.

The Daily Mail's chief football reporter claimed that, while West Ham may finally part ways with the boss at the end of this year, it was their intention for that process to begin last season.

The Hammers endured a poor league season which saw them flirt with a relegation battle before a late run of form, and the lower teams' failings, saw them finish 14th.

Mokbel was speaking on the It's All Coming Up podcast [13 November] when he shared: "I think he's going to depart. All the information that we have indicates he will depart at the end of this season.

"I think there was a plan to do that last summer, at the end of last season, for him to move on, but them winning that European trophy the Conference League spun that direction on its head a little bit.

"How can you open the door for your head coach to leave when he's just landed you your first trophy in decades? David Moyes deserves a lot of credit for turning that narrative around last season."

The plan has been in place

It appears the decision was made a long time ago that Moyes would not continue as the West Ham manager for the long-term future. He was supposed to go last season, and now they have a blame-free, hassle-free option to allow him to leave amicably at the end of his current deal.

After the Conference League victory last time out, sacking him in the summer became impossible, and even this season it would be difficult given the credit in the bank from that success, so instead of sacking him, they can just allow his stay to come to an end.

Moyes was always supposed to leave in the near future. He saved his job with a terrific achievement last season, but the club are looking in a new direction. Whether it will prove a case of the grass always being greener on the other side is yet to be seen.

Whether the trigger is pulled immediately, or he is allowed to walk away at the end of his deal, Moyes should maintain the respect and admiration of the majority of the fanbase for what he achieved in East London.

In other West Ham news, Dharmesh Sheth has shared a new update on the potential manager hunt.

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Dharmesh Sheth names new West Ham United manager verdict, decision soon