‘It’s a great moment to have your family at the game. These moments don’t come around too often’
David Moyes handed his medal to his dad in a touching moment after West Ham defeated Fiorentina to win the Europa Conference League on Wednesday.
Jarrod Bowen’s goal in the 90th minute sealed the Hammers’ first trophy since 1980, in a victory the team’s manager later described as the best in his career.
The trophy is only the second in Moyes’ managerial career after he guided Preston North End to the second-division title 23 years ago and comes after West Ham spent much of the Premier League season fighting relegation.
Speaking after the match he said: “This is fantastic. I’ve had a long career in football and you don’t get many moments like this. Thankfully tonight we’ve had a great time and we got the result we wanted. The game probably didn’t go to plan the way we wanted. But in the end, winning finals is the important thing.”
Asked if it was the proudest moment of his career, Moyes said. “I would have to say so.
“The moments you get to celebrate with your family and everybody here, and to win in the last two minutes in the game, it’s a great feeling.”
After the win, that sparked wild scenes at the Eden Arena in Prague, the Scot took the opportunity to share the moment with his dad.
Video of the moment shows the pair embracing before the medal is placed around Moyes’ dad’s neck. The two then pose for pictures together.
“Still going strong, still wants to come to the game. It’s great, it was a great moment to have your family at the game,’ Moyes said of his dad.
“These sorts of moments as managers don’t come around too often, you have to work very hard.”
When asked about the gesture, Moyes told BT Sport: “It’s a great moment to have your family at the game. These moments don’t come around too often, you have to work very hard.
“From when you’re a young boy, they always want to support you. And you don’t get enough good moments sometimes in football.
“But today is a great moment.”
Moyes added in his post-match press conference: “He was the first one, I thought I should get it round his neck.”
West Ham are due to hold a parade in east London on Thursday night.
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