By Mike Southey

3rd Jun, 2023 | 8:10am

Gary Lineker verdict on David Moyes sack decision could see West Ham could get ultimate reward

West Ham United could still get the ultimate reward for sticking by David Moyes this season in the Europa Conference League final next week.

Calls for Moyes to be relieved of his duty were sky-high throughout the Premier League, with Gary Lineker admitting the reward for sticking with him was survival.

That reward could be huge though, should the Irons go to Prague and dispatch Fiorentina to lift a European title for the first time in decades.

Speaking on the final Match of the Day of the 2022/23 season on the BBC, Lineker shared the first reward that West Ham got by sticking by their main man.

“When you look at the teams that did stay up,” he said.

“Bournemouth kept their manager. Nottingham Forest kept their manager. West Ham kept David Moyes and they got rewarded for that.”

Reward.

This season would be a huge success if it ended with a European trophy.

Imagine saying that a matter of months ago. When relegation looked like a real possibility and Moyes was on the verge of packing his bags if some reports were to be believed.

Fiorentina are not a huge force, but they have to be respected as they reached the final just as we did, and they will likely be thinking the same about the Irons.

The Guardian reported on 24 May that Moyes is increasingly likely to remain in his post beyond this season, and that is a reward for the ultimate turnaround.

It is also suggested that the board will back him once again in the transfer window with Harvey Barnes and Joao Palhinha early targets already.

Should Moyes lift the Conference League, he has earned the right not only to stay, but to spend the money too – Lineker was right, but the reward will be even bigger.