Defeat at home to Bournemouth will send Sunderland crashing out of the Premier League if Hull pick up a point at Southampton
In the past, Moyes has always given the impression he is at the Stadium of Light for the long term but, asked if he will still be in charge in August, his answer was telling.
“I would say that I would make that decision at the end of the season,” he said.
“Because, at this moment in time, it would be the wrong time to say that.”
Ironically, Moyes is set to become the first Sunderland manager since Steve Bruce in 2011 to see out a season.
When he was appointed following Sam Allardyce’s resignation in late July to take over England, the club stressed their revolving door policy was over.
The former Everton and Manchester United boss signed a four-year contract and his job has never been under threat despite this season’s disastrous results with managing director Martin Bain desperate to bring some stability to the club.
Moyes still retains the support of his fellow Scot but clearly he has been worn down by events on and off the pitch.
Sunderland have won just five league games this term while this week he was also been charged by the FA after threatening to slap a female TV reporter.
Moyes, however, denies he’s made a sudden U-turn regarding his future plans. “It’s not a seismic change,” he said. “I just have a situation where we need to see how things are at the end of the season. It’s me saying I will then assess the situation.”
However bad it gets during the Bournemouth game and even if Sunderland go down today, Moyes will not walk away now. He said: “I’m here, I’m doing the job. My focus is to win the game – make sure I win the next game.
“At the end of the season will be the time to talk, if we are going to talk about anything.”
Moyes’ opposite number Eddie Howe has no sympathy ahead of today’s clash.
“It’s difficult to have sympathy with an opposition manager until after the game as the focus is so much on your team,” said Howe, who admitted relegation remains a threat.
“We’re not safe until it is mathematically done. We would love to get over 40 points this weekend, that is the one every one talks about, then we can move on from there.
“It’s about continuing our progression and momentum but it will be a difficult game, any away game in the Premier League is tough, so we will not be underestimating Sunderland.
“I have seen many amazing things in football, so our mentality has to be to go out against a tough side fighting for their lives.
“While there is hope for Sunderland, they will keep going, especially with their manager and the challenges he has faced in his career.”
Bournemouth avoided a third straight defeat when they thumped Middlesbrough 4-0 last weekend.
Howe hopes his team can now produce a positive end to the campaign.
“We have been slightly more inconsistent than we would have liked, but I see progression in the team and we’re going the right way,” he said.
“I’m proud of how the players have adapted to the Premier League.”
