In a fan Q&A with Lyca Mobile uploaded to the club’s YouTube channel, Hammers boss David Moyes discusses academy boys, the Conference League finals, ways for aspiring managers to start their coaching journey and more.

Do you prefer when the team plays in the home or away kit ? DM: “I would’ve loved us to have been lifting the trophy in claret, you know, if we could’ve put our claret jerseys on because it’s the club colours and we’ll always be remembered for that, but obviously there was a rule which we couldn’t do it. I always like the club’s to wear what their colours are.The one thing about the strip we wore in the final as well will be that it will be remembered greatly.”

What are the key factors in moving a player from our academy into the first team ? DM: “Sadly I think it’s getting harder for younger boys to get in so early. We’re very much aware of trying to give young players the opportunity, but I think the level the Premier League’s at and the way it is it’s become much harder to give younger boys their debut. 18 years old was the young thing probably a few years ago, certainly I think it’s moved more to like 21 now for players in the Premier League.”

What advice would you give to someone undergoing a football coaching degree ? DM: “First of all you have to really love the game, you need to put hours and hours of work in, you know, do all the coaching badges as soon as you possibly can and you know, keep at it. Go and see people speak, go and watch coaches work, go and ask and see if you can come into training and watch people training because sometimes there’s always something I’ve always found you can pick up.”

What were your emotions on winning the Conference League ? DM: “It’s not something you get to do very often, it’s something which I’ve not had enough in my career which I’d like more, I’ve had some big successes but to win a European trophy you know is an incredible achievement. I just hope that I get the chance to do it again.”

Finlay Jackson