BBC pundit Chris Sutton says he is disappointed with the way West Ham have gone about replacing David Moyes as manager.

Reports this week claimed that the Hammers held discussions with Sporting Lisbon head coach Ruben Amorim about succeeding Moyes at the London Stadium. Writing in his preview ahead of the Liverpool game on Saturday, Sutton said the current Hammers boss should be treated with more respect:

“Who knows what kind of Hammers performance we are going to get after all the noise around the talks they have had with Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim this week.”

“I know clubs have to make plans, but for that to come out the way it did that was really disrespectful to West Ham boss David Moyes when the club have not made an announcement about his future.”

Moyes may have decided to leave West Ham

It should be pointed out that Moyes spoke out back in February to claim that he has received an offer to extend his contract, but he hadn’t decided whether to sign it.

With the Scot having yet to put pen to paper on the deal with less than a month remaining of the season, it stands to reason that the club want a succession plan in place.

Who is the favourite to take the Hammers job?

Chairman David Sullivan and technical director Tim Steidten are said to be holding talks with a whole host of different candidates, including Amorim and ex-Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui.

The frontrunner is reportedly Lopetegui at the moment but a lot could still change in the coming weeks. More managers are likely to be interviewed, including former Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick and Lille head coach Paulo Fonseca. Other names could also be considered before the club’s hierarchy settle on a preferred option.