Graham Potter was appointed head coach of West Ham in January
Graham Potter was appointed head coach of West Ham in January
Graham Potter can appreciate it is easy to compare him with David Moyes. But the current West Ham boss has no interest in drawing parallels himself because he cannot yet match the Everton manager’s longevity.
Both turned up at giant clubs in Chelsea and Manchester United only to be swiftly written off despite inheriting complicated situations.
They have gone abroad to improve and progress, while Potter is now attempting to follow in Moyes’ footsteps by proving critics wrong at West Ham.
And while Potter is yet to lose to Moyes in seven previous meetings, there is huge admiration for the Scot who brought major silverware to the East End.
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“I understand (the comparisons) but he’s a bit older than me and has had a lot more games,” Potter said.
“His longevity is really impressive, the career he’s had, how long he was at Everton, the experience of Manchester United, going abroad, coming back.
“He was written off a lot but in coming back he proved that sometimes people don’t know the quality people have. David, he’s a top professional.”
David Moyes is doing an impressive job in his second spell at Everton.
David Moyes is doing an impressive job in his second spell at Everton.
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Image:
Getty Images)
However Potter was unwilling to go as far as saying British coaches get far less time than sexy names from abroad by joking: “David is sexier than Graham isn’t it. Graham’s not a sexy name.
“It’s not something I’m really bothered about. It’s part of the game, part of society, that as soon as things go wrong you’re written off and part of the noise is to be critical.
“That’s just how it is in any area. But if you think about David, how long he has been in the game, I’ve huge respect for him.”
Potter was planning to speak with Moyes, who left the Hammers at the end of last season, before taking the job in early January.
But Moyes was also in the process of returning to Everton, whom he has immediately steered up the table. “I realised that he’d be quite busy,” Potter added.
And he is more than aware of the legacy left by the Europa Conference League winner. “He achieved a lot, won a major trophy. He had a competitive team near the top of the Premier League for lots of seasons.
“I know how difficult that is. Everyone wants to improve, that’s clear, we want to do that. But he set a high bar here.”
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