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Stuart Pearce shares emotional last day words to West Ham United star Jarrod Bowen
Stuart Pearce has shared his parting message to West Ham star Jarrod Bowen from the last day of his time with the club, live on talkSPORT.
The influential former first-team coach stepped down at the end of the season, just before the standout Hammers forward was called up to England for the first time.
And he has revealed his pride at the development after having a front row seat to the former Hull man’s progress at the club.
Pearce told talkSPORT on Wednesday (1 June), in a clip shared on their Twitter: “I’m really proud to be honest with you, it’s probably the one word I’d use.
“On my last day, at the Brighton game, I said to him, ‘Look, nothing would give me more pleasure. It’s been brilliant working with you and nothing would give me more pleasure than if you’re picked for England this time round’.”
As the misty-eyed Psycho looked on the brink of choking up he regained his composure and went on: “Smashing kid as well. Really, really nice, humble young man.
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“He’s got the ability with both feet. He can score with both feet, he can score with his head. I think there’s more to come from him. I think that’s probably the biggest compliment I can pay him.
“I don’t think he’s anywhere near the completed article at the moment.”
The ex-England full-back feels time with the national side could help the Irons attacker reach new levels, and that on current form he will put Gareth Southgate “under pressure” for a World Cup place in the winter.
Parting gift
In the time that the former Irons player had been back at the club as one of David Moyes’ assistants Bowen has become an exceptional player.
The news that Pearce was moving on came a day before the 25-year-old was picked for the Three Lions ahead of the June Nations League games.
With rivals for wide attacking positions such as Manchester United pair Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford having down years, and Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi switching to Ghana it looks like the London Stadium star has timed his breakout perfectly.
There might be a few Hammers fans feeling similarly emotional about the rise of Bowen, who alongside club and country teammate Declan Rice helped drive the club through a memorable season.
The key for the club now is to ensure that they keep hold of both and strengthen around them sufficiently to prevent either looking elsewhere in the short-term future.
If that can be done then hopes should be high that the achievements that this squad have already managed can still be surpassed.
In other West Ham news, one potentially exit-bound Irons player could be spared by what his teammate does this summer.
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