West Ham have appointed David Moyes as first-team manager on an 18-month contract.

Moyes replaces Manuel Pellegrini, who was sacked on Saturday, and returns to the London Stadium after an interim spell during the 2017-18 season.

The Scot guided the Hammers to safety in his first spell at the club before they decided not to offer him a new contract and instead appointed Pellegrini. He will take immediate charge of the team ahead of their New Year’s Day fixture against Bournemouth.

Moyes told the club website: “It’s fabulous to be back. It feels great to be home. I’ve missed being here because I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed being around the stadium and I loved being in this part of the world and I missed the club, so I can’t wait to get started.

“I’m feeling very proud that I’m back here at West Ham. But I think more importantly I’ll be looking to see what I can do and what I can make improvements to, how we can get some wins with the players and how we can get some quick wins on the field as well.

“I do believe that the squad of players I’ve got here is a better squad of players than when I took over before, so I am looking forward to working with them.

“I think there’s got to be a short-term goal for us just now to get the wins to get us away from the wrong end of the league and what we’re going to do over the next six months, then what we’re going to do over the next period as well. The start is really focusing on the immediate games.”

The 56-year-old has spent 15 seasons managing in the Premier League, including an 11-year spell with Everton and unsuccessful stints with Manchester United and Sunderland.

West Ham joint-chairman David Gold is confident that Moyes is the man to move the club, who sit 17th in the Premier League and just a point above the relegation zone, up the table.

“David proved in his short time with the club that he was capable of getting results and we believe that he will start moving the club in the right direction once again,” Sullivan said.

“We are delighted to welcome David back – he knows the club well and he built strong relationships during that time which will be crucial for the work that needs to be done going forward.”

Moyes will address the media at 2pm on Monday as he sets about preparing for the Bournemouth encounter, a fixture that could prove crucial to both struggling clubs’ prospects heading into the second half of the season.