BREAKING: David Moyes appointed West Ham boss

Croatian Bilic was sacked after a poor run of form left the ‘Hammers’ in the relegation zone going into the international break, with Saturday evening’s 4-1 defeat to Liverpool at the London Stadium the final straw for the club’s owners.

The club have moved quickly to bring in Moyes, who is still highly-rated in English football despite disappointing spells with Manchester United, Real Sociedad and Sunderland.

West Ham’s joint-chairman David Gold released the following statement upon the 54-year-old’s unveiling: “I would like to welcome David to West Ham United.

“This is a unique position for David Gold and myself – it is the first time in almost eight years at West Ham United that we have appointed a new manager during the season.

“We need somebody with experience, knowledge of the Premier League and the players in it, and we believe David is the right man to turn things around and get the best out of the players at the Club. He is highly regarded and respected within the game, and will bring fresh ideas, organisation and enthusiasm.

“He proved with Everton that he has great qualities and we feel that West Ham United is a Club that will give David the platform to display those qualities again.”

The club have not disclosed the length of the former Everton boss’ contract.

Moyes has been out of work since failing to save Sunderland from relegation last season.

Moyes was notably more upbeat when talking to the press than he was in his early days at the Stadium of Light, when he famously insisted that Sunderland would be involved in a relegation fight  fromm almost before the season had started, telling West Ham fans:

“I’m really looking forward to meeting the supporters, being in the stadium with them and seeing them get right behind the team, and my team also.

“We need everybody with us. It’s a big job we have in hand now but, with everybody together, I’m sure we can get the right results between now and the end of the season.”