View: West Ham fans will love what Pep Guardiola did at full-time at the London Stadium
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola shared a warm embrace with West Ham captain Mark Noble after his last home game for the club.
David Moyes’ side held the league leaders to a 2-2 draw on Sunday [May 15] thanks to a brace from winger Jarrod Bowen.
The Hammers will be bitterly disappointed not to have held onto the win but the much-deserved point takes them one step closer to a Europa League finish in the Premier League.
The main talking point was the Irons veteran, Noble, who shared a touching moment with the Cityzens boss after the game.
When asked about what he had said to Noble, Guardiola said as per talkSPORT: “I admire the trajectory of these types of football players.
“All his career here, his home, West Ham. How many years, how many games, unfortunately, it might be one of the last few cases we see in world football, a player stays a whole career [at one club].
“Hopefully he can stay in football because the knowledge he’s got will be incredible for English football, for the Premier League, for West Ham, on behalf of Man City, congratulations for his incredible, long career.”
Mr West Ham.
Not only is the former Barcelona boss a top-class manager, but he is also a top-class person after his heartfelt embrace with the West Ham captain at full-time.
The mood around the London Stadium was brilliant anyway as the supporters gave the 35-year-old the send-off he deserved after 18 years of service but his interaction with the Spaniard saw the noise levels rise.
Noble deserves all the recognition in the world for his service to the club – he is an inspiration in so many ways, not just in football.
It is now somewhat of a cliché but they really don’t make them like the Englishman anymore and the midfielder will be a huge miss to the squad next season when he retires.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him return to the club in some capacity in the future – maybe as a coach.
For now, though, he should enjoy his retirement with his head held high after an amazing career.
In other West Ham news, Martin Samuel has responded to the latest West Ham London Stadium developments dubbing it the “deal of the century”.
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