Plans to go over to the away supporters and thank them were ruined.
While Manchester City’s star-studded squad celebrated joyously with Pep Guardiola, West Ham’s dressing room had a different vibe.
Moyes’ final words as West Ham United’s manager came after 261 games across two tenure.
Moyes goodbye gesture was scuppered.
At the turn of the year, West Ham were in the top six, barely below the top four.
Following a 2-0 victory at Arsenal, some urged Moyes to sign a new contract.
It would be a defeat that cost Arsenal the title.
The results in 2024 have been so terrible that the match at Manchester City will be Moyes’ last, since he has not been given a new contract.
So there was no shortage of irony as West Ham’s 3-1 loss to Manchester City in his final game sealed Arsenal’s destiny.
Moyes will be replaced by Julen Lopetegui, according to an official release.
It’s been the worst kept secret in football for the past few weeks.
Moyes offers parting message regarding Lopetegui.
But West Ham’s owners insisted on waiting until Moyes concluded the season before bringing in Lopetegui.
Things have become tense of late, with Moyes prohibiting technical director Tim Steidten from working with the first squad due to West Ham’s highly public hunt for a new manager.
One may expect Moyes to be resentful over Lopetegui’s appointment as his replacement.
But, following his farewell at home last week, the departing manager expressed his hope that the Spaniard will make even more development.
Moyes has now issued a last message to West Ham’s players concerning Lopetegui.
And it’s pure class again.
‘I have told the players’
Moyes has claimed that his farewell message to West Ham’s players was to urge them that under Lopetegui, they must give their all to maintain the good work they have done in east London.
“I think there are a lot of things for the club to move forward, a lot of things we’ve improved here, and I really hope it continues,” Moyes told the club’s official website.
“I told the players in the dressing room today that they needed to keep it continuing (under the new management).
“They’ve set certain Premier League standards now, and we’ll see if we can keep them (under Lopetegui).
“I’m quite satisfied with how successful my time at West Ham has been, and I believe most people would agree. The people I’ve worked with have been successful, as have the people I’ve enjoyed, and I hope that everyone else can do the same.”
David Moyes remained classy until the end.
What a noble statement to end his time at the club.
Thank you, and good luck to Lopetegui.
