Jarrod Bowen has been a West Ham United player for almost four and a half years and has only ever worked with David Moyes in that time.
Signed in January 2020 from Hull City, a month after Moyes returned to London Stadium, the winger moved to an Irons side looking to climb away from the relegation zone and remain in the Premier League. He would score on his first start in Claret and Blue, in a 3-1 home win over Southampton, and since then his career has only gone on an upwards trajectory.
He has been in the form of his life throughout the last year, which saw him score the goal that won the Hammers the UEFA Europa Conference League in June, earn a recall to the senior England squad, equal Paolo Di Canio’s Premier League record for the most Hammers goals in a single season and was overwhelmingly voted as Hammer of the Year for 2023/24.
The 27-year-old’s rise from humble beginnings to Premier League stardom is a tale that has captured the eyes of many. His journey is not only inspiring but also testament to his unflinching work ethic, quality on the ball and, above all, his assists and goals.
However, everyone needs a chance, not just in football, but all walks of life, and for Bowen, that life-changing opportunity arrived via Moyes at West Ham.
Following the announcement last week that Moyes will depart the Club at the end of the campaign, the Hammers forward took time to pay a heartwarming tribute to the Scot for the instrumental affect he has had on his career and how he is delighted that he has been able to repay the faith the manager has shown him over the years.
"We’ve spoken about me scoring 20 goals and being awarded Player of the Season – but they wouldn’t have been possible without him [David Moyes] and if he didn’t bring me to the Club,” said Bowen.
“I always go back to the time where he brought me into the Club, and having the faith to bring me in from the [EFL] Championship as players in that league were sometimes frowned upon. Since I’ve been here and worked with him over the last four and a half years, we’ve had some great games, great memories and came away with a European trophy as well.
"Today [Saturday] was about him and it’s important we won the game [3-1 against Luton Town] and got him the send-off he deserved because what he has done for this Club is incredible. Since I’ve been here, he has kept us up, avoided relegation and has made us European winners within three years, so that speaks for itself. I don’t think he will ever be forgotten here because of what he has done.
“His door is always open for any player, and I think that is one of the best things about him. He’s not just a football manager, but a person as well, and is one of the best people I have worked with. I’ve spoken with him already on a one-to-one level to thank him for everything he’s done for me as I wanted him to know how appreciative I am of him and how I always will be for the rest of my career.”
Bowen’s header at home to Liverpool late last month saw him become the first West Ham player to break the 20-goal-a-season barrier since Marlon Harewood 19 years ago, and equal Paolo Di Canio’s tally of 16 in a single Premier League season.
And with just one more game remaining of the campaign to break that record, away at Manchester City on Sunday, he is hopeful he can add another chapter to an already record-breaking season.
“It could be more [goals] and I have probably missed a few more games than I ever have in my career,” Bowen continued. “There’s an opportunity at Manchester City to do that [better Paolo di Canio’s Premier League record]. It’s going to be difficult with the situation they are in, but we can’t go there and fear them as it’s a game of football and anything can happen.
“It [his form his season] all comes with confidence, being trusted by the manager and him putting me in the side. It’s then down to me to play my game. The manager can’t change you overnight, but it’s more about them trusting your abilities and putting you in their starting XI and he has done that since the day I arrived here. I played my 200th game for West Ham in four years recently, so you can see he trusts me as a player and puts me out there.
“I think this season the top ten has been as open as it has ever been. There have been games where we have been disappointed and really haven’t done ourselves favours in some of the games, but that’s down to us a players. You can’t win every game, but we know that the manner in which we lost some games this season hasn’t been good enough, but all in all I think it’s been a solid season.”
