Stan Collymore has praised David Moyes on Twitter for digging in and turning his career as a manager around at West Ham after losing his way while in charge of Manchester United.
Moyes lasted just 10-months at Old Trafford as the successor to Sir Alex Ferguson for the 2013/14 season. He signed a six-year contract with the Red Devils to leave an established home at Everton. But Manchester United fired the Scot after 15 defeats in 51 fixtures.
Moyes resurfaced in the Real Sociedad dugout six-months later, but would only last a year at the La Liga outfit. The Txuri-Urdin this time parting with the 58-year-old after 15 defeats in 42 games. And his managerial journeys only continued to be brief after failing in Spain.
Sunderland gave Moyes his next chance, yet his Stadium of Light spell was also short-lived. The Black Cats and tactician parting ways after 10-months and a relegation, before a five-month hiatus until replacing Slaven Bilic at West Ham. Where Moyes would last seven-months during his first spell, before returning 19-months later to steady the ship.
This time, Moyes found a home and signed a three-year contract this June after securing West Ham Europa League football. But Collymore still doubted Moyes and West Ham being a long-term relationship at the start of last season.
“Moyes lost his way after [Manchester] United, and I thought he was done,” Collymore noted. “[He] dug in after Matchday 2 last season (beat Wolves, Leicester, drew against Spurs and [Manchester] City) when the pressure was square on him, and looked a different man and manager after that. Fair play to him, [Moyes] got his mojo back.”
Is Moyes back to his best at West Ham, like Collymore claims?
Moyes will have felt hard done by when West Ham elected to appoint Manuel Pellegrini than keep him in the summer of 2018. The Scot came in to replace Bilic and kept the Irons in the Premier League with two games spare.
His second lease of life at the London Stadium has been an even greater success, though. After again keeping West Ham in the top-flight, Moyes took a relegation-scrapping side to Europe within a year. The Hammers are also now top of the table at the start of 2021/22.
Collymore is absolute right to have wondered what was to come for Moyes when he left Manchester United. And he is just as right to now praise Moyes for what he and West Ham have achieved since returning.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
