Moyes sympathetic over West Ham’s current struggles and takes no comfort from turmoil at his former club.
David Moyes has stated that he finds no solace in the chaos at West Ham, where his old team is now led by their third manager since he left 16 months ago.
After Moyes won West Ham’s first trophy in forty-three years in the 2023 Europa Conference League, many fans demanded a new manager and a more daring approach the next season. He acknowledges that, in his opinion as well, 2024 was most likely the best time to depart.
Graham Potter, who oversaw six victories in 25 games, was replaced on Saturday by Nuno Espírito Santo, while his successor, Julen Lopetegui, was fired after 22 games. However, the Everton manager maintains that he is not satisfied with West Ham’s volatility and lack of direction.
“I think sometimes at football clubs everyone thinks the grass can always be greener but I had a great time at West Ham, I really did. A hugely enjoyable time,” said Moyes, who was speaking before Potter’s dismissal. “I got on great with everybody but if people want to keep changing all the time, I don’t know if that is the best way for clubs.
“I think clubs need to build, get stability, and there are a few clubs like that. I think one is Everton, at the moment, who for different reasons badly need stability in building and moving things in the right direction. West Ham was also a club like that.
“Twice when we came in, [West Ham] was a club that had to avoid relegation which was just like Everton. Whatever you say about the pressure of the job, that is the worst part of it, trying to deal with a team near the bottom of the league,” Moyes added. “I think the biggest thing is that West Ham is a huge club with a great support and they want success as well.
“It is very difficult. The modern game makes it very difficult for teams outside the real big boys to do it. But I think for West Ham to play three years in a row in Europe and sell the most expensive player in British football at the time [Declan Rice], you would have said is a statement of where they are and what they have done.
“At West Ham, we were spending £40m [on one player] and that was because European football takes you to another level in terms of what you can entice and the money you can bring in. I think it was a great time at West Ham but it was probably the right time for me to move on as well as West Ham.”