Moyes apologises to fans after heavy Chelsea loss

It is the latest bump in the road during a rocky season for Moyes, who appears to be on his way out after West Ham held talks with former Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui earlier this week.

Moyes, 61, returned for his second stint in charge of West Ham in December 2019 and has overseen a largely positive period in the club’s history.

The Scot led the Hammers to the Europa League semi-final in 2021-22 and they went on to win the Europa Conference League in 2022-23, ending a 43-year wait for a major trophy.

But his days appear to be numbered with the current campaign fizzling out and widespread frustration among the fanbase.

The sheer amount of goals conceded, 70, has left them fighting a losing battle, with only Burnley (74), Luton (78) and Sheffield United, who all sit in the bottom three, holding a worse defensive record.

“We’ve had too many games this season where we haven’t shown any toughness, togetherness, leadership, or taken ownership of the performance,” Moyes said.

“I’m the manager so I take ownership of that but sometimes the players have to take responsibility as well.”