David Moyes may not be flavour of the month at the Premier League headquarters right now after new comments from the West Ham boss.
David Moyes is one of the most experienced managers in Premier League history.
So when the West Ham boss talks you would think those running ‘the greatest league on the planet’ are listening.
Well if they are then they may not like what they hear from the Hammers manager. And not for the first time.
Last year Moyes slammed inconsiderate Premier League bosses for the scheduling of West Ham’s matches despite them flying the flag for the top flight in Europe.
In January Moyes had a pop at the Prem’s decision makers for hampering his transfer plans by scheduling West Ham to play on the evening of transfer window deadline day for the second window running.
The Scot has been outspoken on VAR too.
Now West Ham boss Moyes has made a claim that will infuriate Premier League bosses but he’s spot on.
Richard Masters and the Premier League board are widely considered to be overseeing the biggest, best, most competitive and most watched football division in the world.
So for them maintaining and building on that reputation is imperative and lucrative.
Packed, noisy stadiums are part of the Premier League’s televisual appeal too.
But Moyes has told reporters most Premier League grounds are not a patch on Bundesliga when it comes to atmosphere.
West Ham are playing away at German side Freiburg in the Europa League last 16 on Thursday night.
They have played at the 35,000 capacity Europa-Park Stadion in the group stages. And the Hammers also faced an infamously intimidating welcome at Freiburg’s fellow Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt two seasons ago.
“I have to say I’ve found the atmospheres in the German stadiums incredible, I really have,” Moyes said in his press conference.
“Probably better than the Premier League maybe with the exception of one or two clubs.
“And I expect to have another great atmosphere (in Freiburg).”
Prem bigwigs won’t like to hear it. But Moyes is absolutely right here. And the Premier League are their own worst enemy when it comes to match atmosphere.
In the process of feeding broadcasters more games to get their hands on more money, it is match-going fans who often pay the biggest price.
Silly kick-off times with little consideration for how fans will get to games, high ticket prices and increasingly awkward travel due to public transport disruption are making life difficult for match-going fans of all clubs, not just West Ham.
The Premier League is also behind others such as Bundesliga when it comes to safe standing. And that is a big factor when it comes to generating atmosphere.