West Ham United will give David Moyes the chance to establish himself at the club after appointing him as their new manager on a six-month contract that could turn into a longer deal if the 54-year-old revives the team’s wretched form.

Moyes has effectively been named as West Ham’s interim manager after Slaven Bilic was dismissed on Monday but he takes over knowing there is a strong possibility of being offered a two-year contract if he saves the club from relegation.

David Sullivan and David Gold, the club’s co-owners, would also want to see clear signs of improvement before making a final decision at the end of the season. Although it is understood Moyes will receive a £2m bonus if he wins the battle for survival, a break clause in his contract will allow West Ham to walk away if they are not sufficiently impressed.

West Ham’s decision to take things slowly with Moyes comes after the board faced down supporter unrest over his appointment. The former Everton manager, who has been out of work since failing to keep Sunderland up last season, is seen as an uninspired choice by many fans.

Moyes, who inherits a team languishing in 18th place after two wins from their first 11 Premier League games, has struggled since leaving Everton for Manchester United in 2013. After being sacked by United and Real Sociedad, he was accused of negativity after finishing bottom of the Premier League with Sunderland.

Moyes, who hopes to add Alan Irvine and Stuart Pearce to his backroom staff, admits he has a point to prove. “Yes, I think I do,” he said on the club’s website. “I’ve managed five clubs since starting out nearly 20 years ago, starting at Preston and then going to Everton. My period at Manchester United is well documented and I then did something I have always wanted to do by experiencing management abroad, with Real Sociedad.

“It’s only been the last job where I feel it wasn’t a good move and I didn’t enjoy the experience. So I’m hungry to make sure I get things right now. I don’t know any manager who hasn’t gone through negative periods, especially in the game today. I hope it gives me great strength and understanding of what is required.

“The focus here is purely between now and the end of the season. The first thing is to win the next game and build from there, and I’m sure we will be in a much stronger position before long.”

Profile David Moyes in numbers Show 6 This will be Moyes's sixth job in management following spells at Preston, Everton, Manchester United, Real Sociedad and Sunderland. 11 Years in charge at Everton, from 2002 to 2013 – longer than in all his other managerial jobs combined. 18.6 Moyes' win percentage as Sunderland boss last season. The Black Cats finished bottom of the Premier League, 16 points adrift of top-flight survival. 3 The Scot has been named LMA manager of the year on three occasions, in 2003, 2005 and 2009 during an Everton reign which also brought him 10 manager-of-the-month awards. 1 He has won one trophy, the 2013 Community Shield with Manchester United, which some would argue doesn't count 9 Moyes becomes West Ham's ninth permanent manager of the Premier League era, and only the 16th in their history

“I’m really looking forward to meeting the supporters and being in the stadium with them,” Moyes also said in an interview published on the club’s Twitter feed.

“I’m looking forward to seeing them get right behind the team, and my team also. We need the support, we need everybody with us. It’s a big job we have in hand now but I’m sure with everybody together we can get the right results between now and the end of the season.”

West Ham’s hope is they are getting the version of Moyes who flourished at Everton for 11 years rather than the one who seemed so defeatist at the Stadium of Light. Sullivan’s and Gold’s belief is Moyes, who met his squad at West Ham’s Rush Green training ground on Tuesday, was in an impossible position at Sunderland, who are bottom of the Championship after sacking Simon Grayson last week. They have promised to back him in the January transfer window, when they will need to strengthen a talented but unbalanced squad. West Ham have the worst defensive record in the Premier League, having conceded 23 goals in 11 games.

Bilic, whose contract was due to run out at the end of the season, proved incapable of finding the right balance after more than two years in the job. West Ham were alarmed by reports of a lack of intensity in training and Bilic’s time was up after Saturday’s 4-1 defeat to Liverpool at the London Stadium.

West Ham United can confirm the appointment of David Moyes as the Club’s manager. pic.twitter.com/AIOWnHWn27 — West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) November 7, 2017

However, one of Moyes’s main concerns will be to win over unhappy fans. West Ham have struggled since moving to the London Stadium at the start of last season and Moyes will need to make a fast start. His first test is away to Watford on Sunday week, while his first home game is against Leicester City on 24 November. There is also the intrigue of a return to Goodison Park at the end of the month.

“I would like to welcome David to West Ham United,” Sullivan said. “This is a unique position for David Gold and myself – it is the first time in almost eight years at West Ham United that we have appointed a new manager during the season.

Timeline Slaven Bilic at West Ham Show Named West Ham manager Bilic joins on a three-year deal from Besiktas, replacing Sam Allardyce. "It is a big privilege and a big responsibility," he says. "We want to make a big club even bigger." Away wins fuel flying start Victory at Manchester City follows away wins over Arsenal and Liverpool – the club's first win at Anfield since 1963 – moves West Ham second in the Premier League table. Goodbye to the Boleyn Ground West Ham finish the season in seventh and secure a Europa League place, but Bilic sounds a cautionary note as the club leave the Boleyn Ground. "It is impossible to make the Olympic Stadium a fortress like this. Forget about it – no chance." Moving troubles Sure enough, it’s a nightmare start at the new ground: disorder in the stands and a 3-0 defeat to Southampton their fifth loss in the first six games. They’re also beaten in the Europa League play-off. Vote of confidence Co-owner David Sullivan issues a vote of confidence after a 5-1 home hammering by Arsenal. "Slaven cares passionately about the football club and this defeat will be hurting him as much as anyone." Payet says goodbye Dimitri Payet returns to Marseille after refusing to play in order to force a move. “This team, the staff – we gave him everything, we were always there for him," says Bilic. "I feel let down. I feel angry.” More backing from the board West Ham climb into the top half before a run of five straight defeats results in another vote of confidence. "To end speculation once and for all, the board feel it necessary to announce that we have 100% faith in Slaven Bilic’s ability to lead West Ham United." Season ends with a whimper A 1-0 win over Spurs at home provides a lift – but they lose the next one 4-0 to Liverpool. “I wanted the same performance as against Spurs. We didn’t do it. We wanted to avoid complacency but it was obviously there." Closer to the edge Bilic is on the brink after West Ham lose their first three games – but hope is restored with a battling 2-0 win over Huddersfield. "The lads did everything we asked. We acted well at a difficult time." Cup win lifts spirits West Ham lose 3-0 at home to Brighton to leave Bilic facing the sack – before a rousing away win over Spurs in the Carabao Cup. “The lads deserve it, it’s a great night for the club. This should be the standard from this point on.” Liverpool loss proves final straw West Ham throw away a 2-0 lead in a draw at bottom club Crystal Palace, before a 4-1 defeat at home to Liverpool. Bilic is sacked two days later, with David Moyes expected to take over.

“We need somebody with experience, knowledge of the Premier League and the players in it, and we believe David is the right man to turn things around and get the best out of the players at the club. He is highly regarded and respected within the game and will bring fresh ideas, organisation and enthusiasm.

“He proved with Everton he has great qualities and we feel West Ham United is a club that will give David the platform to display those qualities again.”