David Moyes will seek assurances over a long-term deal at West Ham after Manuel Pellegrini was sacked following the club's dire defeat against a second-string Leicester City.

David Sullivan and David Gold, the club's joint-chairmen, took immediate action to fire the 66-year-old after a 2-1 collapse at the London Stadium left the club facing a relegation fight in 2020.

Moyes, as disclosed on Friday by the Daily Telegraph, is now the club's No 1 target, with senior figures at the club regretting the decision to let him go after he previously saved them from relegation. A source close to negotiations said the Scot will want assurances over his long-term contract as well as clarification over his role at the club.

Tony Pulis is also understood to be a potential candidate as West Ham identified targeting a British manager as a priority ahead of a now crucial fixture against Bournemouth on New Year's Day. Pulis is understood to have told family, however, that he will be taking a break until the new year.

A Leicester side forced into nine changes after back-to-back defeats to Manchester City and Liverpool were worthy victors and, just minutes before he was sacked, a crestfallen Pellegrini expressed doubts he would remain in charge. "That's a question I cannot answer," he said when asked if he will still lead the side against Bournemouth. "I hope that this team can recover." Pellegrini recognised "without any doubt there is a lack of confidence" in his side.