Former Manchester United forward Robin van Persie has heaped praise on David Moyes and touched on the difficulties the Scotsman faced during his Old Trafford reign.
Moyes guided West Ham to their first European final for 50 years this week as they gear up for a meeting with Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League showpiece. The game will take place at Eden Arena in Prague on June 7.
It presents Moyes with the chance to win West Ham their first trophy in 43 years and Van Persie has insisted that his former United boss is incredibly deserving of the success he is on the brink of.
"I’m really pleased for David Moyes. I worked under him for a year, he’s a fantastic person and a fantastic coach as well," the Dutchman told BT Sport in the aftermath of West Ham's semi-final second-leg victory over AZ Alkmaar.
"It was difficult for him at Manchester United but I’m really pleased for him because he loves the game. He’s a really good coach.
"From his point of view, West Ham didn’t play a great match tonight but defensively they all defended 4-4-2 zonal, they all did their job really well. This is how Moyes planned the game, I’m sure. I’m just really happy for him. He deserves it."
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This is not the first time Van Persie has discussed Moyes' tenure, with the ex-Arsenal man also previously claiming his old boss was not entirely to blame for why things went south at Old Trafford.
Back in 2020, the ex-Netherlands international told Premier League productions: "We did struggle because we ended up being 7th. From such a high…we were thinking about winning the Champions League and moving on.
"It was a new period as well with Scholesey coming to the end, Giggsy taking a player-coach role. It was all new.
"Moyes was not to blame, anyone who came in after Ferguson good luck to you. It was not only him to blame, it was us as well. The standards were so high but they dropped."
In the immediate aftermath of Moyes' dismissal from his post at United, Van Persie was quick to publicly give him his backing while once again appearing on BT Sport.
"I think he tried his best and did everything in his power to make it work.
"I do feel sorry for him because when someone - a player or manager - gives his heart for the cause and it doesn't work out the way everyone wants, of course it is sad."
