David Moyes went from Fergie’s chosen one to eating cheese puffs in Spain and could now win first major trophy
David Moyes jumping for joy on the turf of AZ Alkmaar’s AFAS stadium was a sight to behold for any football fan.
The 60-year-old has maybe never had such a moment of happiness, taking West Ham to the Europa Conference League final, live on talkSPORT, where they will compete for a first major trophy since winning the FA Cup in 1980.
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Moyes is hoping to guide his side to European glory on Wednesday nightCredit: Getty
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But it hasn’t always been a smooth roadCredit: AFP
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Moyes built his reputation at EvertonCredit: AFP
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He later had the highest of billings at Manchester UnitedCredit: getty
Not only would it be a momentous prize for the Hammers, but Moyes too, who similarly hasn’t won a major trophy in his managerial career.
There was a Third Division title with Preston North End in 2000, but since then it’s been one of the most storied management careers in English football, which could finally reach its crescendo in Prague.
Only Arsene Wenger, Sir Alex Ferguson and Harry Redknapp have coached more Premier League games than Moyes, who has been a constant fixture in the top flight since joining Everton two decades ago.
Since then there have been numerous near-misses and moments of heartbreak for Moyes, making success on Wednesday night as sweet as it could possibly be.
Taking over Everton in 2002, the turnaround was almost instant from Moyes as he secured a seventh-place finish in his first full season, the Toffees’ first in the top half since 1996.
Building upon that, he took the club to new heights in 2005 by finishing in the league’s top four, although disaster was just around the corner.
The Blue half of Merseyside thought they had the bragging rights for the season by pipping Liverpool to fourth, and were laughing all the way up to the Reds’ second-half comeback win against AC Milan in the Champions League final.
That meant England had five entrants into Europe’s top tier for the following season, with Liverpool facing three qualifying ties and…
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