If you didn’t love David Moyes already then you will now after the former boss defended West Ham’s honour in front of the watching millions.
By the end of his West Ham tenure even David Moyes admitted it was probably best for all concerned that he moved on.
Some Hammers fans miss the Scot as his successor Julen Lopetegui struggles badly in east London.
Many still feel it was the right decision to part company with Moyes but that Lopetegui was simply the wrong choice to replace him.
Whatever your stance on the man, he is indisputably West Ham’s most successful manager of the modern era.
Moyes saved the Hammers from relegation twice. The second time he did so while navigating the difficult circumstances around the pandemic.
West Ham then enjoyed an unforgettable rise and ride under Moyes.
The Irons finished sixth with the club’s record Premier League points total of 65.
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Agonisingly, that was just one win – two points – short of qualifying for the Champions League.
West Ham took the Europa League by storm, though, making the semi-finals while also securing a seventh place finish in the Prem.
David Moyes, manager of West Ham United, celebrates with the trophy after the UEFA Europa Conference League 2022/23 final match between ACF Fiorent...
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Deeply offended Moyes outraged by West Ham disrespect
That meant qualifying for Europe for a second consecutive season.
The Hammers struggled for the same consistency in the top flight the following season.
But they turned things around to stay up comfortably and rounded off the campaign in spectacular fashion, winning the club’s first major trophy for 43 years as West Ham lifted the Europa Conference League last year.
For the first time in West Ham’s 129-year history, they embarked on a third consecutive season of European football last term.
In what would be his final season, Moyes had West Ham in the top six and the last 16 of Europe again by the turn of the year.
But his contract situation saw things unravel and the Hammers faded badly with just five wins from 25 in all competitions in 2024. They ended up finishing ninth and were edged out of the Europa League at the quarter-final stage by Bayer Leverkusen.
Some have belittled West Ham’s achievement of winning the Conference League.
And Mark Chapman made the mistake of doing exactly that right in front of Moyes and the watching millions on TV overnight.
Deeply offended Moyes was outraged by Chapman’s flagrant West Ham disrespect in awkward scenes.
Moyes was the guest on Match of the Day 2 alongside host Chapman and Alan Shearer.
Chapman was discussing in-form Chelsea’s title chances when he talked down about their involvement in the Conference League to Shearer.
Chapman’s inference was that Chelsea won’t care about the Conference League, that it was beneath them and they can therefore afford to play a second string side in the games.
David Moyes the head coach / manager of West Ham United during the Premier League match between Manchester City and West Ham United at Etihad Stadi...
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Awkward scenes as Moyes’ greatest achievement mocked
Moyes, like any Hammers fans listening, took offence to the disparaging comments.
And a visibly agitated Moyes let Chapman know too.
“What’s up with the Conference League,” Moyes said as he shuffled in his seat, clearly irritated by the comments.
Chapman let out a nervous laugh and said “nothing, nothing” while reaching out a hand of apology to Moyes.
But he was left hanging and Moyes then mocked Chapman with a sarcastic laugh while showing his disdain for the disrespect with a telling look at Shearer.
The Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer then remarked: “Go on, what were you going to say, that was a bit awkward.”
Moyes found Shearer digging at Chapman funny and it prompted further awkward laughter from the host.
Fair play to Moyes for defending his and West Ham’s honour
It was a brilliant moment from West Ham’s former boss.
Make no mistake Moyes did not find the comment funny at all.
His biggest achievement was being openly mocked while he sat there. It was poor from Chapman.
Fair play to Moyes for standing up for his and West Ham’s honour.
Chelsea fans have also been praising Moyes in the comments when the BBC put the clip out on social media.
Moyes was recently honoured at the London Stadium with the installation of a tribute to his time at the club.
Those European days look like heady heights now.
Getting back into Europe was the target handed to Lopetegui on replacing Moyes.
But West Ham look miles off being capable of that level of consistency after another dismal defeat, this time 5-2 against Arsenal.
The galling thing is, this is officially one of the most wide open Prem seasons in the last two decades.
So the points needed to make it back into the Conference League or Europa League won’t be as high as normal.
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