David Moyes could barely have been tasked with a tougher assignment for his final game in charge than a trip to title-chasing Manchester City, but he insists he is relaxed and ready to try and help deliver one more special memory on Sunday afternoon.
The Scotsman is set to bring the curtain down on his four-and-a-half-year second spell as West Ham United manager at Etihad Stadium, in what will be his 261st game at the helm.
Having delivered three consecutive seasons of European football, including last June’s unforgettable UEFA Europa Conference League title, Moyes is understandably pleased with his record in the hotseat, which ends with a third top-ten finish in four years.
While Manchester City chase a victory over the Irons that would secure a fourth-straight Premier League crown, the Hammers are focused on building on last weekend’s 3-1 win over Luton Town, with ninth place in the table already confirmed.
Speaking to the media ahead of the visit to the north west, Moyes reflected on his time in east London, while also commenting on the game and what he might look to do upon his departure.
Bidding farewell
We’ve had a good week and good preparation, so it’s all good as far as I’m concerned. It starts to hit you when you have to clear your office out, and make way for new people coming in, but I’m happy with the situation.
I don’t really feel emotional. I’ve been in and out of work at different times during my career, but this time I’m happy to be stepping aside. I’m happy with the work I’ve done here at West Ham, and I’ll leave in good spirits.
I’m really relaxed about the game, even though we understand the task at hand. The players have trained well this week, and we’ll be as ready as we possibly can be for it.
Luton send-off
It was a special day last week, mainly because we won the game. That was really important for me, as I’m sure it was for the supporters. The fans showed their appreciation for the players, and thankfully they stayed and supported me as well.
I’ve had a great time with the supporters in the main. We’ve had moments throughout the period that have really meant a lot. Last weekend meant a lot because it was a great reception with the players for hopefully the whole season and the three seasons before that as well.
Proud record
I’m extremely proud to say that I’ve helped bring European football to West Ham during my time at the Club. It’s not something that’s been a regular thing here, and I think to get the results we have over three years, with the amount of games we’ve played, has been a good achievement.
I think one of the big things for me is that we pulled the Club back together, to some extent, on and off the field. We’ve brought a degree of stability, and I think from that point of view people are happier than they might have been before we came in.
I hope in general the people here at the Training Ground and around the Club have enjoyed my company over the period. I’ll keep in touch with many of them, and I’ll follow their careers.
A season of ups and downs
We had a brilliant first half of the season. We’ve tailed off in the second half, but in the main we’ve probably been up between sixth and eighth for most of it.
When you look at the teams above us, we’d love to finish above them, but I think if we’re being honest, most people would say that they wouldn’t have expected us to.
You always want to do better than people expect. The years we finished sixth and seventh we finished above a lot of good teams, and this year has been a big improvement on last season.
Future plans
I’ve got a lot of thoughts about what might happen. At the moment I’m looking forward to a break and having some time off. It’s an interesting period – the minute you step aside it’s interesting the people who contact you.
I’m very pleased with the way we’re leaving things at West Ham, and I look forward to the next chapter whatever that might involve.
Taking on City
It’s difficult to beat Manchester City at any time, especially when they know they’ve got to win a game to secure the championship. That puts us under pressure because of what Manchester City can do, but it also puts them under a bit of pressure.
Football is a strange game, and you never know what moments you’re going to have to win games. We have to try and take those opportunities when they arrive.
We’re fully focused on ourselves. We’re not playing to make Manchester City lose the Premier League or for Arsenal to win the league, we’re playing for West Ham and we’re trying to win the game for our supporters.
We can’t finish the season lower than ninth, which is a really good position for us in lots of ways. I think we’re all pleased with that situation.
Guardiola is one of the greats
Pep Guardiola ranks right up there with the best in the Premier League, if not as the best. He’s done incredibly over here and transformed football in many ways. He’s been brilliant at what he’s done, and he’s still doing it.
There’s a lot of talk about the disappointment of Jürgen Klopp leaving the division, and I think the quicker Pep leaves, the better for a lot of the rest of us managers! Everyone respects the work he’s done, because he’s been excellent.
Thoughts on VAR
I don’t really stand in one camp or the other, in terms of whether it should stay or go. I do think VAR has been disappointing at times this season, and I think it’s probably right that clubs have a chance to speak about it.
I don’t think it’s making football a great spectacle at the moment. I think we’re all disappointed that with every goal we’re having to wait on everything being cleared before it gets the go-ahead.
