Richard Keys has made a big claim about the situations surrounding David Moyes and Roberto De Zerbi at West Ham and Brighton.
Many Hammers supporters have grown fed up of David Moyes’ approach and risk averse style.
But West Ham fans are often warned to be ‘careful what you wish for’.
When they are, many point to the football being played by Brighton under Roberto De Zerbi as proof West Ham have every right to expect a better style of play and results.
De Zerbi has been a revelation in the Premier League since taking over Brighton.
The Italian has had the Seagulls playing the kind of football West Ham fans could only dream of over the last couple of seasons.
Another point West Ham fans like to make to those who say they can’t have entertaining football and results is about takers for their manager.
Which top or even middling clubs in the UK or Europe will be queuing up for Moyes if and when he leaves the Hammers?
Moyes and De Zerbi ball lose impact
In stark contrast, a host of top clubs from Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich to Liverpool and Chelsea have been heavily linked with De Zerbi.
Things have gone off the boil at both West Ham and Brighton this year.
West Ham have won just four of their 22 games in all competitions in 2024 so far.
Brighton’s malaise stretches back further with wins in only six of their past 28 Premier League matches.
Five points separate West Ham in eighth to Brighton in 12th – although De Zerbi’s side do have a game in hand.
Neither are likely to qualify for Europe having both competed in the Europa League this season.
Now Richard Keys has made a big claim about the Moyes and De Zerbi situations at West Ham and Brighton.
Keys makes big claim about Moyes and De Zerbi situations
Keys reckons De Zerbi is being treated more favourably than the likes of Moyes because he is foreign.
And he claims not only will De Zerbi be on the managerial market this summer – something which may interest West Ham – but that he will be replaced by Brentford boss Thomas Frank.
“We already knew he doesn’t believe Brighton match his ambition (honestly – the arrogance) but now he’s turned on his players, who he says, ‘lack motivation’. Wow. It’s over,” Keys said on his own website.
“Brighton’s latest defeat means that only Sheff U, Burnley and Forest have a worse record than theirs this season. They’ve won just six of their last 28. If Sean Dyche, David Moyes or any other domestic coach had a record like that there would be screams for them to be sacked.
“The Italian will leave at the end of the season – I’m hearing to be replaced by Thomas Frank, who can think himself unlucky not to have been linked with bigger jobs (such as) Liverpool? Why not?”
Would West Ham fans take De Zerbi at the London Stadium as Moyes’ replacement?
Could Hammers go for Italian if Keys claim is true?
You can safely assume most would welcome the idea.
Flip that on its head and would Brighton fans take Moyes?
Ironically Frank himself is someone West Ham fans have championed as Moyes’ successor.
If De Zerbi does – as Keys claims he will – become available, West Ham would surely throw their hat in the ring given the 14 or so managers they have been doing due diligence on in the last week or so.
You could argue De Zerbi would have a much more talented first XI – particularly up front – at West Ham than he has with the Seagulls.
And with West Ham needing a major squad rebuild this summer, it could be the perfect time for someone like him to take over and – alongside Tim Steidten – get the players in to suit the Italian’s way of playing.
West Ham fans can learn more about the specifics behind De Zerbi’s tactics in the video below.