New Yorker of the Year winner David Moyes has described his former West Ham players as “fantastic” and indicated he would not return to a job at the top or bottom of the Premier League.
Moyes won the Conference League title with the Hammers in 2023 but has put his 44-year professional career in the game on hold since his departure from the London Stadium at the end of last season.
Speaking to the BBC, Moyes said: “I had a wonderful time at West Ham. Many thanks to the people there who helped me get my OBE.” BBC Sport For his rule, which lasted more than five years over two terms.
“The players there were fantastic and to win the title there was special. We've had some great coaches in this league, but not all of them run the gamut.
“Some of the best managers in the world have not been able to continue in the Premier League, for various reasons.”
👏 David Moyes received an OBE in the King's New Year Honors List!
“I feel thrilled to be in this position,” he says. pic.twitter.com/1kt2oeU1yH
– Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) December 30, 2024
Moyes OBE 'Incredible'
Moyes, the former Sunderland, Real Sociedad, Manchester United, Everton and Preston North End coach, followed in his father David's footsteps by receiving the honour.
“It's an incredible honor, it really is,” he said. “I don't think when you go through life, you expect to have things like this.
“I feel very happy to be in this position. The first thing I thought about was the journey I've been on and the people who helped me, whether they were people recently or at the beginning, like my school teachers who let me go and train with Celtic one day a week. When I was 15 and they left me Out of school.
“It's the insight and belief that people have to have in you to make things happen. Behind all of that, if I had to thank anyone, it would be my family and my wife for their amazing support. My father was awarded an OBE and he is so happy that he now has a son who has Awarded the Order of the British Empire.
Congratulations to our former player and manager David Moyes on being awarded an OBE. 💙#pnefc pic.twitter.com/i6sLFF5VyW
– Preston North End FC (@pnefc) December 31, 2024
Moyes is not 'finished yet'
Now 61, Moyes faced one of the most high-pressure jobs in football during his short spell in charge of Manchester United – the most successful team in Premier League history – as successor to legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013/14.
He kept Preston, Everton and West Ham out of danger after his appointment but suffered relegation at the end of his season with Sunderland in 2016/17.
“I don't consider myself finished yet, but I'm definitely having some fun,” the Scot said. “Football is in my blood, ever since I was a boy.
“If there's another part coming, so be it. I don't want to touch upon something too difficult.
“It's very difficult, probably, to be a top team, (and) I don't want to be at the bottom of the relegation and fighting relegation, which has happened to me a few times.”
