David Moyes has been making for some awkward conversations since returning to Everton after his controversial departure from West Ham but his stock rose again this week.
Next month marks two years since West Ham and David Moyes parted company by mutual consent at the end of his contract.
It was to a wave of warnings in West Ham’s direction to ‘be careful what you wish for’ with suggestions the Hammers would only realise what they had in Moyes when he was gone.
After a six-month break, Moyes went back in at Everton and closed an eight-point gap on West Ham to finish above his old club.
Moyes’ West Ham legacy grows stronger but it’s nothing to do with Everton
Since then Moyes has established Everton as contenders for European football, just as he had in east London.
No matter what your stance on Moyes and whether it was time to move on when he did exit the London Stadium, there can be no denying West Ham have not been the same club since.
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It can be argued the demise started on Moyes’ watch. But Kevin Nolan says results only dipped so badly because word that Moyes was leaving got out amongst the players, most of whom didn’t want him to go.
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There is no hiding that West Ham have been circling the Premier League plughole since Moyes left, while Everton have been on the up and up under him.
Some West Ham fans hold aloft a David Moyes Out banner
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport/Getty Images
Nuno Espirito Santo has done a decent job of giving the Hammers hope of survival with seven games to go.
But Moyes’ stock has risen again at West Ham and it’s nothing to do with Everton.
Moyes’ achievements with the Hammers seem to take on added value and credibility with the passing of time.
Over two spells Moyes kept West Ham up twice before finishing sixth, seventh and ninth in three of the four seasons afterwards.
Moyes’ astonishing West Ham European record remains intact
There were three consecutive campaigns of European football for the first time in West Ham’s history, Europa League semi and quarter-final appearances and a record Premier League points total and goal difference.
La piste de la résistance was Moyes leading West Ham to a first major trophy since 1980.
Nuno’s squad is certainly STRONGER three months on! ⚒️ 🆚 🐺
Who has been the biggest upgrade? Disasi for Kilman surely…
West Ham v Wolves XI on January 3rd, 2006
Even within that jewel in the crown of Moyes’ achievements was a record that will only increase in significance as time goes on.
Just as it did last night as Moyes’ reputation in east London grew again, without a ball being kicked at West Ham or Everton.
When Strasbourg lost 2-0 to Mainz on Thursday night, the ripples were felt at West Ham.
David Moyes celebrates by kissing the Europa Conference League trophy after West Ham beat Fiorentina 2-1 in 2023
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Because it means that West Ham remain the ONLY unbeaten Europa Conference League champions in the history of the competition.
The Hammers played 15 games in the competition leading up to the unforgettable 2-1 triumph over Fiorentina in the final in 2023.
West Ham did not taste a single defeat on their way to glory, the only team to hold that record now Strasbourg have lost in this season’s competition.
The Conference League may be in its relative infancy, but the increased level of competition in the tournament – as a domino effect of more teams being in the Champions League – means that West Ham record is going to take some beating.
The achievement is nothing to be sniffed at given some of the teams who have competed in – and won – the Conference League including Roma and Chelsea.
But it is heartening for Everton too.
If the Toffees do manage to return to European football this season then they know they have the right man at the helm in Moyes.
Everton’s owners clearly know that too as word is Moyes will sign a new deal, two-and-a-half years since West Ham’s board made that fateful decision to withdraw their offer of a contract extension.
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