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Football London
Football London
Sport
Robert Warlow

David Moyes makes West Ham admission amid Europa League Conference joy and Premier League safety

David Moyes admits that there have been several occasions when he could have lost his job at West Ham United.

The Hammers boss has had a difficult season, with West Ham battling to stay in the Premier League amid poor league form at times during the campaign.

But he has retained the backing of the West Ham board and that faith has been rewarded with the Hammers now safe in the Premier League for another season and into the Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina, after victory against AZ Alkmaar in the semi-finals in midweek.

READ MORE: 'Anything is possible' - Leeds United verdict on Sam Allardyce and what West Ham can expect

Moyes knows it has not been plain sailing for him or his players this season though, with the Scot admitting that while it could turn out to be a very good campaign for the club, if they win the Europa Conference League, the domestic form has been disappointing.

“Seasons are long, and you never know how they are going to work out, but this could turn out to be one of West Ham's best-ever seasons," he said.

“There's still some work to be done in the Premier League, but finishing seventh and getting to the Europa League semi-finals last year was huge, and in some ways, it's probably taken its toll on us this season.

“But reaching a European final will make up for a lot of the other things that have happened this year.

“Sometimes, when things aren't quite going right, you need to show a bit of resilience, and I've got to say there have been times this season when it was tough and there were bits that weren't so enjoyable.

“On several occasions, I could easily have lost my job, but you need good people who understand how you work and that makes life a lot easier and the board have been very supportive. In some ways, I hope this repays their faith in what they chose to do.”

Moyes says that he never doubted himself amid the Hammers' poor form at times in the campaign, but said that there was disappointment at how the season was panning out and how difficult it had been to turn things around.

However, he says that his experience in similar situations from his managerial career, including at West Ham, helped him keep calm under pressure.

“I didn't doubt myself, but I was more disappointed that I couldn't quite get our rhythm back, but over my career I've managed to find ways of winning when my teams haven't been doing so well," he said.

“I've been brought back here twice before to help the club avoid relegation and on three occasions when we've been in this position we've managed to do that.

“I think I'm still able to find a way of winning games when it's required.”

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