Moyes inspired by ‘serial winner’ Mourinho to conquer Europe

West Ham manager David Moyes has stated his desire to reach a European final with the Hammers after drawing inspiration from last year’s UEFA Europa Conference League winner Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho led AS Roma to the UECL title in his maiden season with the club, ending the I Giallorossi’s 61-year wait for a European title, and Moyes has stated that he aims to do something similar for West Ham and himself.

West Ham take on AZ Alkmaar in the semifinal of the UEFA Europa Conference League hoping to reach the club’s first European final since the 1999 Intertoto cup, and possibly win their first European title since the 1965 European Cup Winner’s Cup.

Moyes believes he could be the manager to help the Hammer’s reach this feat, and has spoken about what it would mean to him to reach his first European final.

Speaking ahead of the semi final first leg against AZ Alkmaar, Moyes said, “To get to a European final, it could be my best one [European campaign].

“In the past I’ve got to a Champions League quarter-final with Manchester United, lost on penalties in the quarter-final of the Europa League with Everton and last year we reached a semi-final [of the Europa League] here at West Ham.

“I want to try and take it a couple of steps further, and I would refer back to the serial winner Jose Mourinho – who found winning this trophy so special for him and his football club.”

West Ham face a tricky tie against AZ Alkmaar, who have already knocked out Belgian giants Anderlecht and Italian side Lazio.