Jarrod Bowen pays touching tribute to outgoing West Ham manager David Moyes. Moyes took centre stage at West Ham’s final home game of the season, the Hammers last at the London Stadium with the Scot as manager
David Moyes Manager of West Ham United with Jarrod Bowen
As a ringing endorsement of David Moyes’ reign, Jarrod Bowen’s tribute was as authentic as the Bow bells’ Cockney chimes themselves.
Sluggish at first, West Ham turned Moyes’ passing-out parade at the Taxpayers Stadium into a party and left Luton Town’s tired Premier League fairytale on life support. The departing Hammers boss took over perennial relegation candidates, but after three long runs in Europe and the club’s first trophy in 43 years, his work is done.
West Ham are now massive everywhere they go.
Bowen, whose last-minute winner in the Europa Conference League final 11 months ago will remain Moyes’ epitaph in the East end, said: “I don’t think he’ll ever be forgotten here.”
Boos to oles as West Ham’s fitting farewell to David Moyes consigns Luton to relegation
Luton fans brawl with West Ham stewards in ugly scenes as police forced to intervene. Nobody has prospered more under Moyes’ tutelage than Bowen, who reeled off a shopping list of reasons to be grateful to his manager.
“Scoring 20 goals this season, being player of the season, England caps, winning a trophy… none of it would have been possible if the gaffer hadn’t brought me here in the first place,” he said.
“He showed faith to bring me here from Hull – signing players from the Championship always seems frowned upon for some reason – and over the last four years we’ve had some great days and made some great memories.
“What he’s done for this club speaks for itself: We’ve gone from avoiding relegation to winning a trophy in Europe, and everyone is happy we gave him the send-off he deserved.
“I also know, from conversations with him, that he takes enormous pride in his players who go on to represent their country. He was so proud when Leon Osman won an England cap when he was at Everton and he said the same to me when I won my first cap – he was so chuffed for me.”
Bowen, who should make the cut in England’s 26-man squad for Euro 2024, admits it will be hard to move on from Moyes when his successor moves takes over.
Former Wolves coach Julen Lopetegui is the man waiting in the transit lounge, and Bowen said: “As tough as it sounds, you have to move on – when we came back last summer, we had to forget about winning a trophy because we had to get on with a new season.
“The same applies to managers – when a new one comes through the door, you have to listen to what they want, respect their philosophy and everyone jumps on board. It will probably be a bit weird coming in for pre-season and the gaffer’s not here – and I’ve only just got used to his accent!”
West Ham players are planning a night out with Moyes after their thankless final game at champions-elect Manchester City.
But Bowen has already shared a private chat with him to acknowledge the Scot’s influence on his career, sayng: “He is one of the best people that I have worked with, and I had a chat with him in the week just to say thank you really.
“I wouldn’t be here without him. I wanted to do that to show how appreciative I am and will be going on through my career. I can’t just do it this season, I have to do it next season and the one after that.”
After a poor first half, when they trailed to Sambi Lokonga’s early header and were booed off, the Hammers unfurled the bunting and goals from James Ward-Prowse, Tomas Soucek and 19-year-old George Earthy brightened the mood in pearly king heartlands.
Luton are all but down, and their body language on the final whistle had an air of resignation as they stood in front of their 2,900 travelling fans looking desolate. Manager Rob Edwards, who has conducted himself with impeccable dignity on the Hatters’ short-lived adventure in the penthouse, wiped away tears but he needs no recriminations.
But up in the posh seats, reality dawned for director Stephen Browne, who will have to face the music back in the Championship.
Last season, the initial letter of each paragraph in Browne’s April Fools Day programme column From The Boardroom sent a barely-coded message to Luton’s arch-rivals, spelling out “Watford are s***.”
Barring a miraculous 12-goal swing on the final day, he will find out on June 26 – when the EFL fixtures are released – when he expect a frosty reunion.
