A gamble? If I was chairman I would back me
Defiant Moyes says he is the right man for Hammers
WHEN it was put to him last night that his new chairman believes it was a gamble appointing him as West Ham’s manager, David Moyes stared the questioner in the eye and insisted that he is a good bet.
Despite disappointment in his past three managerial jobs – at Manchester United, Real Sociedad and Sunderland – Moyes was adamant that he is the man to haul West Ham away from the Premier League relegation zone.
If he was chairman of West Ham, said the Scot, he would pick David Moyes as his new manager.
Moyes strode beaming into the Great Briton room at the London Stadium and confidently delivered a determined defence of his qualities.
There was poetry all around Moyes as he launched the latest stage of his managerial career. At the back of the room was a quote from Hamlet: “What a piece of work is a man. How noble in reason.”
Over his head, a quote about the 1966 England World Cup win, which featured those three famous Hammers, Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters: “Watching through steepled fingers, wishing through bated breath.”
And here was a man determined to defy the sense of disappointment and lack of excitement from Hammers fans that has been
evident since he was confirmed on Monday as Slaven Bilic’s successor until the end of the season. Of David Sullivan’s words, Moyes, 54, said: “It’s a good gamble. If I was a West Ham chairman I would certainly consider David Moyes as manager. “If you are talking about the 11 years I had at Everton, you would say that West Ham look a good fit for David Moyes. Looking at the other period you might say, ‘Where has he been for the last few years?’ – I need to put that right. “It does not feel like a last chance. Carlo Ancelotti has had eight clubs, Rafa Benitez 12. The way football is going, managers are at a lot of clubs. This is only my sixth. I hope it is a long stay, long enough for both of us to be happy. “Of course you are affected by your past, you don’t like losing, no manager does. You can see what it can do to people’s demeanour. “Nearly all of those managers have had disappointments at clubs, that’s why they have had a lot of clubs. I’ve had my disappointments but I’ve also had good times.” Moyes has not worked in management since quitting as the Sunderland boss at the end of last season after he failed to keep them in the Premier League. said: “You learn from experience and I have got experience of seeing good things and bad things, and what works and what doesn’t.
“I hope I’m able to bring what works into play here. But ultimately, like any manager, you need good players to get good results. I made a poor decision when I went to Sunderland. I don’t think you can say Sociedad didn’t work, because we went there when they were in a relegation position and we moved them up and were only there for a year.
“The United period is well documented. People can work that one out for themselves. It has been an up-andHe down period but the good times are still to come.
“I know I’m here to do the job quickly. We will only have one transfer window. If there’s anything I need I will need to see it quickly, get it done.”
As for winning the ‘West Ham way’ – Sam Allardyce was never forgiven for asking what that was after taking over in 2011 – Moyes said: “If you’re winning at one of the top clubs, you talk about style.
“In our position, the only thing we should be talking about is trying to win. But I don’t think we are in a relegation battle. This is a strong squad. But you have to prepare right and act professionally.”
Will he still be at West Ham next year if he does a good job this season? “Yes, I would think so,” said Moyes.
The Hamlet quote continues: “In action, how like an angel.” Hammers fans do not exactly need an angel. But boy, do they need a saviour.
Of course you are affected by your past