David Unsworth has revealed how David Moyes was influential in him becoming manager of Oldham Athletic, and expressed his delight at the Scot guiding his old club, West Ham, to a historic Europa Conference League win.
Moyes' first major trophy in management, and the Hammers' first in over 40 years, was earned with a last gasp 2-1 win over Fiorentina in Prague on Wednesday night.
Unsworth played under Moyes for 11 seasons at Everton. And he told The Oldham Times that the Scot is someone he is still in regular contact with, and took advice from when considering the move into management after over a decade with Everton's Academy and Under 23s.
"I'm absolutely delighted for him," said the Latics boss, who spent a season with West Ham "He has been striving for that first trophy for many, many years, he's hit the post and the bar many times and I can't tell you how happy I am for him, and his dad.
"I know his dad really well and he's such a brilliant football man - they both are. The family is football mad, and for his dad to see that, to be there and to get the medal, what a great touch that was from David.
"I'm buzzing for him, and for West Ham. Even though I was only there for a year I had a brilliant year and I got on brilliantly with the West Ham fans and to see those scenes at the end it was fantastic. I'm so happy for the club.
"It was brilliant for West Ham, I was made up for David and all his staff who I know well, and it's brilliant for English football.
"I jumped up when Jarrod Bowen was through. They've just won a cup final in the best way possible."
And Unsworth revealed that Moyes is a manager he has reached out to before, and since, taking his first steps into senior management when he was appointed Oldham boss last September.
"I've spoken to him a lot. He's always at the end of a phone, giving advice," Unsworth explained.
"I think the biggest thing he helped me with was deciding to go from the safety and security of Academy football to go and find a club, find the right owners, where you're given time and the opportunity to succeed, and that was the best advice he's given me.
"And I took it, because I've waited at Everton. I'd waited and waited for the right club.
"It was brilliant advice. He said 'Just go and do it or you'll regret it', and he's right.
"He did it that way. He started at Preston, who were struggling in the third tier, and brought them all the way up to within one game of the Premier League.
"I've been on courses with him and played for him. We played against each other - my last game at Everton as manager we beat West Ham 4-0.
"I was very keen not to celebrate too much in front of him out of respect."
Unsworth has also admired Moyes' resilience in recent years.
"I thought they were very harsh at Manchester United to get rid of him as soon as they did and it knocked him for six," he said.
"He had to find his feet again and I was made up when he went to West Ham because I thought it was a great fit, having played there.
"He's put the foundations in at West Ham now to be successful over a long period.
"I couldn't believe it during the season when some supporters were calling for his head and I just thought it was ludicrous.
"It's tough when you're involved in European football. We experienced it at Everton when we were in the Europa League and you're playing Thursday-Sunday. You need a huge squad. You basically need two teams because it's really tough.
"Everybody in football knew he would come good and they would be fine, and that's been proven.
"And what I'm really delighted with is the ownership at West Ham for sticking with him.
"Those people calling for his head halfway through the season have to eat a massive portion of humble pie now."
Unsworth added: "I'm so happy for him and his family. They're a great family.
"And it was a great night for West Ham and as one of my old clubs I'm delighted for them."
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