Former Manchester United and Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini has revealed that he shed tears when it was announced David Moyes would be leaving Old Trafford as manager.

The Scot was picked as Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor at Old Trafford, a daunting task for any football manager, and one that Moyes could only take on for a year of the six he was given in his contract, with him dismissed at the end of his first campaign.

It was a shame for him at the time, of course, given how well he’d done at Everton in the decade or so prior and in the years to follow he’d head to the likes of Real Sociedad and Sunderland with pretty limited success.

Indeed, he’d be a figure of derision for those jobs but he has found his feet once more at West Ham United and, in his second spell there, has been able to build a side that is playing European football this season and looking to seriously challenge the elite at the top end of the Premier League.

There are natural comparisons between the Irons and Moyes’ best Everton sides, then, with Fellaini a key component in those Blues teams and the Belgian has issued praise for his former boss, whilst also revealing he cried at the time his Old Trafford departure broke.

“I was sad for him when he was sacked because I know how much he wanted to succeed,” Fellaini told The Athletic.

“If you asked all the players at Everton what they think of Moyes, they’ll say how much of a nice person he is.

“He brought me to England, then signed me for Manchester United, one of the biggest clubs in the world. I can never say anything bad about him.

“I’ve said this since the beginning… if you give Moyes time, he will make a team. I’ve watched West Ham a few times this season. They’ve become a side that’s difficult to beat.

“If I’m honest, I cried when I found out Moyes lost his job at Manchester United. I thought he was going to stay for a long time.

“It was a sad day. I went to his office to say goodbye, before he said bye to everyone. I told him, ‘Good luck’. But it was a difficult time for me.

“Moyes is a top man, he has a big heart. That’s why maybe he didn’t succeed at Manchester United, because he’s too nice.

“He went to Spain, he went to Sunderland and then got the job at West Ham and saved them. Then they changed their manager but Moyes has shown what can happen when you let him build a team.”

Rush Football’s take

Moyes has done a wonderful job at West Ham United and reminded some critics and doubters that he remains a top coach at Premier League level and one that is capable of building a good team that works hard and plays attractive football.

This West Ham side is one of the best in modern memory and they will certainly be looking forward to taking on Liverpool this weekend in the Premier League.

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