David Moyes gearing up for the 'biggest moment' in his career as West Ham prepare for European final

<p>David Moyes says the walk around the stadium ahead of managing West Ham in a European final was "surreal" and is gearing up for the "biggest moment" in his career.</p>

<p>Moyes' West Ham face Italian side Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final in the Czech capital on Wednesday.</p>

<p>The 60-year-old, who began his managerial career with Preston in 1998, is yet to lift a major piece of silverware, the Community Shield with Manchester United in 2013 notwithstanding.</p>

<p>Moyes is looking to become the first British manager since Alex Ferguson, the man he replaced at the then champions, to lift a trophy, and join the former United boss in the pantheon of great Scottish managers in the English game.</p>

<p>Moyes, who has attended plenty of European finals in his role on UEFA's technical committee, and his players got a first look at the final venue on Tuesday.</p>

<p>"It is slightly surreal," he said. "Today, to turn up and have your own dressing room is a big thrill for me. I really hope I can take it to the next level and win the game.</p>

<p>"I've had a really good career since I started coaching at 35. Over a thousand matches, been in some finals, had some promotions.</p>

<p>"But this is the biggest moment. To be a coach for as long as I've been, you're obviously doing something right."</p>

<p>Moyes also categorically denied suggestions that he could step down after the final, regardless of the result.</p>

<p>"It's great to be sitting here in a European final, for any manager it's a thrill, one of the pinnacles you can get in football as a coach," he added.</p>

<p>"Hopefully it's the start. I've always said the best years are still to come and I'm certainly enjoying the moment and being here."</p>

<p>Moyes' father, David Snr, has attended all their European away matches and will once again be in the crowd at the 20,000 capacity stadium - hopefully.</p>

<p>"I think he'll be in the pub," smiled Moyes. "But to be in this position is very good and good for my family, and I hope they can enjoy it. Hopefully I can give him something he can remember."</p>

<p>Declan Rice will captain the Hammers in what will almost certainly be his final game for the club with Arsenal and Manchester United among those vying for his signature.</p>

<p>Rice, predictably, was not put up in front of the media, high in the home of Slavia Prague, after the on-pitch walkabout.</p>

<p>Instead, it was left to winger Jarrod Bowen to swat aside questions over the England midfielder's future.</p>

<p>"As his team-mates we are excited to go out for a final tomorrow with him as our captain," said Bowen.</p>

<p>"When I joined three years ago, never in my wildest dreams would I have thought we would be in the final.</p>

<p>"We are team-mates and friends and to win it for everyone would be so special. That's what our focus is on."</p>

<p>Moyes has a fully-fit squad, bar injured striker Gianluca Scamacca, as West Ham bid to end a trophy drought stretching back to 1980's FA Cup win over Arsenal.</p>

<p>Cup goalkeeper Alphonse Areola will start but regular number one Lukasz Fabianski, something of a penalty-saving expert over the years, could still have a major role to play if the final goes to a shoot-out.</p>

<p>"We've got those thoughts," said Moyes. "It's about planning, I've got my thoughts - but won't reveal them if you don't mind."</p>

<p>West Ham enjoyed a very agreeable draw on their journey to Prague, but Fiorentina are a different proposition to the likes of AEK Larnaca and AZ Alkmaar.</p>

<p>They finished the Serie A season with a run of 12 wins, four draws and just two defeats and were only narrowly beaten by Inter Milan in the Coppa Italia final.</p>

<p>Coach Vincenzo Italiano said: "West Ham were one of the strongest teams in the tournament and they reached the final, confirming their strength.</p>

<p>"They have high-quality players, very strong. But we also reached the final so we are also strong and we are here to play all our cards. We are ready for it."</p>

<p>The article <a href="https://www.planetsport.com/soccer/news/david-moyes-gearing-biggest-moment-career-west-ham-prepare-european-final">David Moyes gearing up for the 'biggest moment' in his career as West Ham prepare for European final </a> appeared first on Planetsport.com.</p>