WEST HAM fans have called for David Moyes to be rehired after the club’s nightmare start to pre-season.
The Hammers are in Austria to start their preparations for the 2024/25 campaign.
The team is being led by new manager Julen Lopetegui, who joined the club after Moyes left at the end of last season.
However, the team did not get off to the best of starts on the Sportplatz Langau pitch under the Spaniard.
In their opening pre-season fixture, they found themselves 2-0 down at half-time to Hungarian side Ferencvarosi TC.
Both goals showed weaknesses in the Hammers’ defence which proved leaky throughout last season.
The club conceded 74 goals last season, a record that was only beaten by the three relegated clubs.
And it is safe to say that West Ham supporters were left unimpressed by the start Lopetegui had made.
One posted: “Bring back David Moyes.”
A second wrote: “If I lost 2-0 in my first pre-season game against a nobody team on fm, I’m deleting the save and starting a new one. Lopetegui has got to go.”
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
A third commented: “Lopetegui out.”
A fourth said: “Sick and tired of Lopetegui ball.”
Another added: “Lopetegui gone by December.”
In typical pre-season fashion Lopetegui made eleven changes to the team at the break.
And there was a notable improvement as Danny Ings reduced the deficit with a brilliant free-kick in the 48th minute.
A draw was rescued in the 89th minute as defender Nayef Aguerd prodded home from close range.
Lopetegui also handed a first West Ham appearance to Andy Irving.
The Scottish midfielder joined the club last summer but was immediately loaned back to Austrian side Austria Klagenfurt.
He had a decent season, too as he scored nine goals in 28 Austrian Bundesliga appearances.
And he made a mark in the match as he got the assist for West Ham’s equaliser.
One absentee from the squad was Flynn Downes, who has reportedly travelled back to England for a medical at Southampton ahead of an £18 million transfer.
SUNSPORT’S TRANSFER NEWS LIVE
STAY in the know this summer with The Sun’s transfer experts.
It could be all change at Manchester City with the likes of Jack Grealish linked with an exit and Julian Alvarez telling the club he wants to leave.
Pep Guardiola is also reportedly ready to trigger the release clause for Spanish Euro 2024 hero Dani Olmo.
Meanwhile, Arsenal and Manchester United are on high alert with Marc Guehi set to reject Crystal Palace’s new contract offer, SunSport can exclusively reveal.
Follow our LIVE TRANSFER BLOG for all the latest deals, gossip and exclusives.