In a fitting send-off at London Stadium, David Moyes waved to the crowd as he completed his final lap of appreciation with the West Ham players. The fans, who remained long after the final whistle, showed their warm and genuine acknowledgement for the superb job Moyes had done over the past four and a half years.

Since his return in 2019, West Ham has undergone a transformation under Moyes' leadership. The club has experienced three European campaigns and, famously, ended a 43-year trophy drought. However, despite these achievements, dissatisfaction among some fans has grown during the second half of this season. The team's inconsistency, with only four wins in 20 domestic matches, has led to calls for change.

Moyes, aware of the rising discontent, maintained his commitment to his vision for West Ham. This season alone, they have registered significant victories against top-tier clubs such as Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal, and Manchester United, while also securing a draw against Liverpool. With their third top-10 finish in four years, West Ham has become a different club, with higher aspirations.

Certain fans have expressed frustration over Moyes' reluctance to utilize substitutions and give opportunities to young players. While recognizing the progress made under Moyes, they feel it is time for a change to further propel the club's ambitions.

Insiders suggest that West Ham has the potential to challenge the traditional "big six" clubs, although it may not be an immediate expectation. This season, with Manchester United, Chelsea, and Newcastle enduring difficulties, it was disappointing for the Hammers to fade from the European qualification race.

Critics argue that the sales of Pablo Fornals and Said Benrahma in January hindered West Ham's attacking options when they needed it most, overlooking the fact that Fornals wanted to leave due to lack of playing time and Benrahma's unhappiness with limited starts.

The strain of three consecutive seasons of European football has taken its toll on Moyes' squad. Some key players have experienced a sharp decline in form, and the absence of Declan Rice, who was not initially missed, has become noticeable. Moyes attempted to address this by bringing in Kalvin Phillips on loan from Manchester City, but the move has not yielded the desired results.

Despite promising young talents from last season's FA Youth Cup-winning team, there is understanding for Moyes' cautious approach to relying on them consistently at the Premier League level. George Earthy showcased his potential with a goal against Luton, but Moyes believes it is still too early to place full trust in these youngsters.

The recent tough fortnight, which included elimination from the Europa League, poor defensive performances against Crystal Palace, and a heavy defeat to Chelsea, ultimately led to the decision by the club's hierarchy that a change was necessary. Moyes will be succeeded by Julen Lopetegui, who will be tasked with continuing West Ham's progression.

Reflecting on his time in charge, Moyes noted the increase in expectations since he first arrived. Initially tasked with keeping West Ham in the Premier League, the club has now set its sights on securing European football regularly – a significant turnaround in a span of just three to four years.

As Moyes bids farewell to West Ham, he leaves behind a legacy of progress and rejuvenation for the club. The challenge now falls to Lopetegui to carry on West Ham's journey towards sustained success and establishing themselves among the elite.