Moyes is leaving West Ham at the end of the season

Coach David Moyes will leave West Ham at the end of the Premier League season, the club have confirmed.

This comes after BBC Sport's Guillem Balague reported earlier on Monday that former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui had agreed a deal to replace Moyes.

Moyes, 61, came under increasing pressure after a string of poor results, including the 5-0 defeat to Chelsea on Sunday.

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

The Scot took up his second spell at the club in December 2019 and led the Hammers to success in the Europa Conference League last season – their first major trophy in 43 years.

But his side have won just one of their last 10 games and lost five in all competitions and, sitting ninth in the Premier League, are likely to miss out on Europe for a fourth successive season.

“When I came to West Ham for the second time the club was one place above the relegation zone and it has been a great journey to be successful in Europe for three seasons in a row,” Moyes added.

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

Although nothing has been signed yet, former Spain and Real Madrid coach Lopetegui is close to returning to management at the Hammers after leaving Wolves in August last year.

Although West Ham confirmed the search for Moyes' successor had begun, they said they would not comment until an appointment was agreed.

The club's joint chairman David Sullivan said Moyes was responsible for “a period of great progress and success” in West Ham's history.

“David was an absolute professional to work with and he will leave with our utmost respect and best wishes – he deserves the utmost appreciation for the service he provided to West Ham United and we wish him every success in the future,” Sullivan added.

“Making this announcement now allows David to get the farewell he deserves from West Ham fans and allows us all to show our appreciation to him at our final home game of the season against Luton Town on Saturday.”

Moyes first managed West Ham when he took over following the sacking of Slaven Bilic in November 2017.

The Hammers were in the relegation zone at the time, but despite leading the club to Premier League safety, he left the club in May 2018 ahead of the appointment of Manuel Pellegrini.

Moyes then succeeded Pellegrini at the end of 2019, with the club now just one point away from the relegation zone.

The Hammers secured European football spot for the first time in their history through their league position in consecutive seasons, finishing sixth in 2020/21 and seventh the following season.

He then ensured European success with victory in the Conference League final against Fiorentina in June 2023 on a memorable evening in Prague, followed by a trophy parade through east London.

However, the Hammers' heavy defeat at Chelsea means they have conceded 70 goals in the Premier League this season, the most in a single season in the competition.

Only the bottom three, Burnley (74), Luton (78) and Sheffield United (100) have a worse defensive record.

After hosting Luton on Saturday, West Ham travel to Manchester City for their final game of the season on May 19.

West Ham are considering a “two-year” move

Analysis: Guillem Balague, Spanish football writer for BBC Sport

There were successes under Moyes. There is no doubt about that. But as I understand it, West Ham bosses have been thinking about it for two years: 'Should we change direction or not, should we give the fans a bit more spectacle?' – more possession and that's what you get with Lopetegui.

It was clear to the Spaniard that he wanted to stay in the Premier League if possible after leaving the Wolves job on the eve of this season. When West Ham approached him – and it wasn't the first conversation he had with him – it became clear that this was the kind of club he was looking for.