Stuart Pearce backs ‘top’ Ruben Amorim for success as possible West Ham boss

Stuart Pearce feels Ruben Amorim can be a successful manager at West Ham despite his lack of Premier League experience, with David Moyes set to leave.

The Hammers will reportedly part ways with Moyes at the end of the 2023-24 season and have already spoken to highly-rated Sporting Lisbon boss Amorim.

Amorim flew to London for talks with West Ham co-owner David Sullivan this week, although reports in Portugal have suggested he is unsure about the job.

West Ham have since held discussions with Julen Lopetegui but many at the club feel he is not the right fit and that the east London club need a younger manager.

Amorim would be perfect and West Ham’s technical director Tim Steidten is a huge fan of the 39-year-old, who is one of the best young coaches in Europe.

West Ham must first convince Amorim that they are the right project for him, though, and if they succeed, it would be a major coup for the club.

Despite Amorim’s glowing reputation, some have raised concerns over the fact that he has never managed in the Premier League.

But Pearce feels Amorim would have no issue at the London Stadium, pointing to the success of Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp and Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola.

Amorim’s lack of Premier League experience irrelevant

‘I don’t think you need Premier League experience to succeed,’ Pearce told OLBG.

‘Where did Jurgen Klopp get Premier League experience? Pep Guardiola? I don’t think it really matters.

‘You know, Roberto Di Zerbi has come in and impressed too. It’s a brilliant league, arguably the best in the world, but I think experience in this league is irrelevant.

‘Recruitment is the most important job at a football club. On Amorim, If he’ll end up on these shores, I’ve no idea.

‘But word gets around if there’s top coaches in world football and the fact that his name’s being mentioned at places like West Ham, that does tell you something.

‘I think it’s always been in football over the years that clubs speak with potential new managers behind the scenes.

‘You’d be very naïve if they are going to make a change not to have spoken to anybody.’

West Ham need to be careful what they wish for

‘I think if there’s a change at West Ham in any way, shape or form, I hope that’s the choice of David Moyes,’ Pearce added.

‘When I look back on what he’s done, and I’ve been fortunate to be on the inside working with him, he’s changed the culture of the football club and made it a lot more professional.

‘I think they’ve had three consecutive European campaigns which is unheard of in the club’s history.

‘He’s put a trophy in the cabinet, which hadn’t happened for a number of decades and he’s brought in the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Soucek, Paqueta and so many more.

‘The squad is as strong as it’s ever been. They’re eight in the table and he’s done so much good. Now, I hope it’s David’s choice whether he decides to stay or go. If he decides to go, then that’s his choice. If he doesn’t, then the club need to be careful what they wish for.

‘As I say, I think I see more good than certainly some of the chat I hear outside of West Ham.

‘I’m interested in people saying that things need to turn around, when Moyes walked through the door West Ham were in the relegation zone and the dressing room wasn’t great. He’s turned it around. Make no mistake about that.

‘Probably after Dave leaves the football club, people will look back and say, you know what, we didn’t realise what a good job he’d done and I think that’ll be the case.’