Still brawl to play four
MOYES’ AIM IS EUROPE
DAVID MOYES reckons there is no reason West Ham cannot challenge the top four again this season.
The Scot recognises the number of clubs with the clout to do so is growing and he knows that, financially at least, his Hammers can’t compete on that front.
But they pushed the bigger boys all the way last season before finishing sixth and he sees no reason why they cannot do better this time out.
Moyes, whose side take on his old club Everton today, said: “It’s really, really hard to overtake the big sides.
“It took me probably 10 years of trying at Everton and we only got it once.
“But the way football is going, there is a bigger opportunity and Leicester is the best example: Leicester City winning the Premier League – unbelievable. It has given the Premier League another look.
“Yes, it’s hard to see past the top four and you might ask me who they are – I don’t know, there are a lot of teams. But I’m actually looking to see why can I not challenge these teams?
“Why do I think I have to roll over and let these teams finish above me? I’m certainly not doing that this year.”
Moyes has done a great job since returning to the East End
22 months ago, transforming the Hammers from a struggling side to a European contender.
But despite the rapid turnaround, he is adamant there is no quick fix available for every club.
Moyes added: “You have to build through the team.
“If you are going to bring in the best player in the world, yes, that might help, but he has not got the best players around him.
“I am using a process here. I want us to put the foundations down and we have.
“We have a little bit of a base going on at the moment and the next thing is to say,
‘How can we improve a little bit more?’
“So us going in and buying a couple of players this year which might give us extra like Kurt Zouma (above, top), like Nikola Vlasic (above), who can give us maybe the next few years added to the players we have.”
It is more than eight years since Moyes left Everton but, when many people think of the Scot’s managerial career, the Merseysiders are the club they still associate him with. So
EVERTON sacked their
WSL team boss Willie Kirk yesterday.
The Scot was appointed in December 2018 and guided Everton to the 2020 FA Cup final, where they were beaten 3-1 by Manchester City. “Everton can confirm that Willie Kirk has left his position as manager of the club’s women’s team,” a statement read. “The club would like to thank Willie for his service and wish him well for the future.” Everton aim to have a new manager before their next game on November 3. what needs to happen at West Ham for that to change? He said: “Longevity gets you there. I managed 11 years at Everton and I don’t know how many managers will ever do 11 years at one club.”
That means nine more years at West Ham. Moyes, 58, laughed, and added: “My plan is not to manage like Claudio Ranieri, that’s for sure.
“I’d be on the Italian coastline just now with my Speedos on.”