David Moyes just the latest to get ‘sage advice’ from Merson
There are many untrue football clichés, but one of the most overused is the well-worn claim that “nobody ever signs a good player in the January transfer window.” West Ham has disproven this repeatedly, notably with the signings of Jarrod Bowen, Tomáš Souček, and Jesse Lingard.
Another tired phrase resurfaced yesterday, courtesy of perpetually grumpy pundit Paul Merson: “You never go back.” This idea suggests managers revisiting former clubs are doomed to fail. However, Merson doesn’t need to look far for an example that shatters this myth—David Moyes-the very bloke Merse was speaking about.
During Moyes’ first stint at West Ham, he successfully fulfilled his brief of saving the club from relegation but was replaced at the end of the season as the Hammers sought a more progressive appointment.
When Manuel Pellegrini’s tenure faltered, Moyes returned and enjoyed the most successful period in the club’s modern history. His second stint has seen three consecutive European campaigns, a Europa League quarter-final, a semi-final, and the club’s first trophy in over 40 years. Moyes’ return is a glowing example of why “never go back” isn’t always true.
Perhaps Merson will get this one right, after all a broken clock is correct twice a day and the conditions are Everton are quite different so those at West Ham. However it was an odd observation by Merson who just can’t seem to help himself these days.
