David Moyes will leave West Ham United when his contract expires at the end of the season, the club have confirmed.

The decision to announce his departure comes in the wake of West Ham’s 5-0 defeat to Chelsea on Sunday, which extended their winless run in the Premier League to nine games.

A statement released on Monday from joint-chairman David Sullivan said: “On behalf of everyone at West Ham United, I would like to offer our sincere thanks and gratitude to David for the contribution he has made to the football club during his time as manager.

“David has been responsible for a period of great progress and success in our history, and we are extremely grateful for all of his hard work, commitment and dedication to the role.”

Moyes said: “I have enjoyed four and a half brilliant years at West Ham, and the club is in a stronger position than when I returned back in 2019.

“When I joined West Ham for a second time, the club was one place above the relegation zone, and it has been a terrific journey to have achieved three consecutive seasons in Europe.

“I would like to thank all the players for their support, and all the success they have achieved, over the last four and a half years.”

West Ham also confirmed that “the recruitment process for David’s successor has begun”.

Lopetegui has agreed to become Moyes’ successor (Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)

The Athletic reported earlier on Monday that the east London club had agreed terms with former Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Julen Lopetegui to succeed Moyes.

Moyes, 60, started his second stint as West Ham manager in December 2019 and led the club to the Europa League Conference title in 2023, defeating Fiorentina in the final.

Despite successes in Europe, West Ham recorded a 14th-placed Premier League finish in 2022-23.

It is the second time that Moyes has left West Ham.

The Scot was previously in charge of the club for six months in the 2017-18 season before taking the job again in December 2019.

After taking over again, he managed to lead West Ham to safety before recording a record Premier League points total and qualifying for the Europa League in his first full season in charge.

Moyes then took West Ham to the semi-finals of that competition last season, where they lost to Eintracht Frankfurt. His side also managed to finish seventh in the Premier League, thereby qualifying them for the UEFA Conference League for 2022-23.

Despite underachieving with a 14th place finish in England’s top flight last season, Moyes went on to guide West Ham to Conference League success after beating Italian side Fiorentina 2-1 in the final, sealing a place in the Europa League for 2023-24.

Moyes’ contract with West Ham was set to expire at the end of June.

West Ham will return to action when they face Luton Town on Saturday before visiting Manchester City on the final day of the season in what will be Moyes’ last game as manager.

(Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)