David Moyes’ successful return to West Ham proves the need for second chances
Today, 29 December, marks two years since David Moyes re-joined West Ham as manager and he has overseen the club’s most successful spell in the 21st century.
Under his guidance, the Hammers are currently fifth in the Premier League and are in a battle with London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham as well as Manchester United for a top-four place.
Everything Moyes has touched has seemed to turn to gold in his second spell with the club after his brief six-month contract at the club in 2017 wasn’t renewed.
Understated Genius
Never one to blow his own trumpet, Moyes is now receiving long-overdue praise as he keeps West Ham battling with the traditional top six.
He has carried the impressive league form into Europe where West Ham qualified as Group winners in the Europa League where they could face the likes of Borussia Dortmund or even Barcelona in the knockout rounds.
Other Premier League sides have struggled to combine European commitments with their domestic campaigns but West Ham have been able to fight on both fronts with great success.
His success has come largely from outstanding recruitment having brought in the likes of Tomas Soucek, Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma who have all starred for the Irons during Moyes’ tenure.
Other additions such as Vladimir Coufal, Kurt Zouma and Craig Dawson have also fitted right in at the London Stadium, as did Jesse Lingard who became a fan favourite during his loan spell from Manchester United last season.
With West Ham finally performing as a team with a 60,000-seater stadium should be, some credit has to go to the club’s owners David Sullivan and David Gold who were able to swallow their pride to bring Moyes back after initially rejecting the Scotsman.
In other West Ham news: Frank McAvennie wants to see a ‘world-class’ signing in January.