From 'the biggest fool in Manchester' to manager-of-the-season contender Seven years on from the United debacle, David Moyes is helping West Ham reach new heights. By Paul Fennessy Friday 26 Feb 2021, 5:34 PM Feb 26th 2021, 5:34 PM 9,934 Views 15 Comments David Moyes has guided West Ham to fourth in the Premier League. Image: Neil Hall Image: Neil Hall FOOTBALL CAN BE a cruel game. Perseverance and thick skin are essential to long-term survival, and David Moyes’ story, more than most, underlines this message. When he started out in coaching, Moyes quickly established himself as one of the brightest young coaches in England. Between 1998 and 2002, he transformed Preston, the team he represented over 100 times as a player, from a relegation-threatened Division Two side to the brink of the Premier League, losing to Bolton 3-0 in the 2001 play-off final.