David Moyes and European winner – West Ham’s best ever managers
West Ham have had many ups and downs over the years.
The Hammers have been relegated from the top division on six occasions, with the latest being in 2010/11 under Avram Grant.
West Ham could face another relegation battle under Graham Potter, who is under major pressure after just six victories since his appointment in January.
But whilst they have had some dark times, the Hammers have established themselves as a regular European side, especially over the past decade since moving from Upton Park.
Now, West Ham Zone delves into the history books to find some of the best managers in Hammers history.
David Moyes
Most modern West Ham fans’ best memories have been under the stewardship of David Moyes, who garnered mixed opinions.
Moyes first arrived in 2017 to replace Slaven Bilic, and was an unpopular appointment after he relegated Sunderland the previous season.
He kept West Ham up before departing, but returned to repeat the trick after the Hammers collapsed under Manuel Pellegrini in 2019/20.
Moyes kept the side up for a second time, and the 2020/21 season saw West Ham skyrocket into the top six from nowhere, qualifying for the Europa League.
The Hammers missed out on the top six on the final day the season after, while also reaching the Europa League semi-final, before winning the ultimate prize.
West Ham won the Europa Conference League in 2023, beating Fiorentina in the final, cementing the Scot’s legacy in East London for life.
- Read more: Graham Potter – All you need to know about West Ham manager and his unconventional coaching route
Syd King
Syd King is one of the earliest figureheads in the history of West Ham United Football Club.
King was appointed club secretary in 1903, but was already considered manager at that point, and his tenure saw West Ham elected into the Football League in 1919, before reaching their first FA Cup final in 1923.
An edition of the East Ham Echo famously said: “Syd King is West Ham and West Ham is Syd King.”
King was relieved of his duties in 1932 after battles with alcohol abuse and depression, and passed away a year later.
Harry Redknapp
Harry Redknapp has bounced around English football, but made his name at West Ham in the 1990s.
Redknapp was appointed Hammers boss in 1994, and helped the side stabilise in the Premier League before bringing through future Premier League legends such as Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard.
The East Londoners began climbing the league before the end of the decade, finishing fifth in 1999, qualifying them for the Intertoto Cup, which they would go on to win to qualify for the UEFA Cup.
Redknapp left at the end of the 2000/01 season, and later suggested he was sacked as he claimed he spoke to the fanzine like “someone from the pub”.
Ron Greenwood
West Ham fans often claim that they won the World Cup in 1966, and Ron Greenwood is the reason for that claim.
Greenwood is primarily recognised as the greatest manager in Hammers history, after winning the FA Cup in 1964, with a core of Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters.
A year later, West Ham won the European Cup Winners’ Cup, giving Hammers fans the first two major trophies in their club’s history.
The form in the league was less impressive, as the East Londoners survived relegation by a point in Greenwood’s final season before he moved upstairs.
John Lyall
West Ham replaced Greenwood with youth team coach John Lyall, and more trophy success followed.
The Hammers won a further two FA Cups under Lyall, and reached the final of the European Cup Winners’ Cup for a second time, losing on this occasion to Anderlecht.
However, the league form followed the same trend and West Ham were relegated in 1978, but managed to lead the club to two cup finals during their exile in the second tier, including winning their second FA Cup against Arsenal in 1980.
John Lyall timeline as West Ham boss:
- 1974: Lyall appointed West Ham manager
- 1975: Hammers win FA Cup against Fulham
- 1976: Lose Cup Winners’ Cup final to Anderlecht
- 1978: Reelgated to second tier
- 1980: Win FA Cup against Arsenal
- 1981: Lose League Cup final to Liverpool, promoted back to top flight
- 1986: Finish 3rd in top flight – highest-ever finish
- 1989: Lyall sacked by West Ham
Lyall was sacked in June 1989, but his legacy in East London will live on forever.
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