David Moyes has proved managers can still work their way to the top even with so many owners being swayed by sexy names
WHEN David Moyes went back to West Ham just over two years ago, the fans weren’t exactly doing cartwheels.
I’ve got plenty of mates who go to games and there was a definite split among them, which seems crazy now.
But it isn’t only at West Ham where Moyesie is doing a smashing job — he’s also doing a decent one as the flagbearer for all British managers.
I am sick of telling people there are loads of Moyes out there in the lower leagues, it’s just that no one is prepared to give them a chance.
Do you think Eddie Howe, Dean Smith or Chris Wilder would have got the opportunity with a Premier League club if they hadn’t been promoted?
Years ago managers, like players, would work their way up through the leagues, either here or in Scotland.
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Nowadays, with so many foreign owners swayed by what they see as sexy names, usually from overseas, it’s virtually impossible. That, to me, is scary.
Which is why David has become such a shining example to the rest of how you CAN still get there.
He worked his way up from Preston to Manchester United and then rebuilt his reputation all over again.
Whether that will take West Ham into the top four at the end of the season I don’t know but they are a good bet to make the top six — and still have Europe to play for, too.
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The thing is, though, is how he’s built it all up, bought good players, got them playing great football and changed the whole atmosphere around the club.
A few years ago the fans were attacking the chairman’s box, planting flags on the pitch and saying how much they hated the stadium.
But it’s a totally different place these days and I always say that hearing West Ham supporters belt out ‘I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles’ is one of the great things in football.
Moyesie’s what I call a ‘proper’ football man, he knows the game so well — and he’s proved that with the backroom staff he’s appointed.
The likes of Stuart Pearce, Paul Nevin and Kevin Nolan . . . all strong characters you can bounce off.
I always had people around me with strong opinions who weren’t afraid to voice them. The likes of Jim Smith, Joe Jordan, Clive Allen, Frank Lampard Snr and dear old Frank Burrows.
When it’s not going well, management can be the loneliest job in the world. You need good people around you.
I used to ask what they thought of things and while you don’t have to agree and you have to make your own decision, it’s vital to have a good team you can speak to.
David has been absolutely top drawer in surrounding himself with the right people and he just knows the game inside out.
If there’s one signing to prove that, it’s Craig Dawson. Are you telling me a foreign manager would have brought in someone who couldn’t get in Watford’s side?
David knew what he could do for him and his recruitment has been fantastic. Jarrod Bowen went from Hull to in the running for England, then there are the two Czech lads, Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal.
And while everyone expects some big names coming in for Declan Rice this summer, it’s far from impossible that they could keep hold of him. That would be massive.
You’re probably talking about a future England captain. If West Ham pay him accordingly, there’s no reason why he wouldn’t stay.
Look, no one knows what’s going to happen with Chelsea but they could be vulnerable next season and if that’s the case, then West Ham are certainly in good shape to take advantage.
Tottenham and Arsenal will be pushing for the top four but they could give it an even bigger go next time.
They’ve got money to spend and if they spend it as wisely as they have been doing, why shouldn’t they be in there fighting too?
And the main reason for that is David Moyes and his team. I don’t think they’ll let him slip through their fingers for a second time, that’s for sure.