David Moyes says he was approached by Newcastle United

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West Ham United manager David Moyes says that he was approached by Newcastle United before Rafael Benitez was placed in charge of the Magpies.

West Ham United manager David Moyes has revealed to The Chronicle that he was approached by Newcastle United.

The former Sunderland and Everton boss has disclosed that Newcastle approached him to succeed Steve McClaren.

McClaren parted company with the Magpies in March 2016 following a run of poor results in the Premier League.

Rafael Benitez was eventually given the managerial job at St. James’ Park, with Moyes taking charge of West Ham earlier this season.

Moyes was appointed the Sunderland manager in the summer of 2016, but the former Everton and Real Sociedad boss failed to keep the Black Cats in the Premier League.

“They did,” Moyes told The Chronicle. “I had contact with Newcastle. For different reasons, it didn’t quite come off but that’s right.

“Just for different reasons [it didn’t happen]. One of my representatives met Newcastle at the time, but for different reasons we didn’t do it.”

One wonders what would have happened had Moyes taken charge of Newcastle instead of becoming the Sunderland boss a few months later.

Could the Scot have kept the Magpies in the Premier League? Does Moyes regret taking the Sunderland managerial job, especially as he took them down to the Championship?

West Ham will take on Newcastle at the London Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

With both the Hammers and the Magpies struggling against relegation to the Championship at the end of the season, the match will be hugely important for the two teams.

Ahead of the game, West Ham goalkeeper Adrian has spoken highly of Newcastle manager Benitez.

Adrian told West Ham’s official website: “I have known Rafa for a long time. He is a very good manager and did a very good job at Newcastle when they were in the second tier.

“They started the season very well but they have not got good results in their last few games, so it’s a good time for us to give our maximum in our own stadium and get the three points. I wish him the best, but not on Saturday!”