Former Hammer Pablo Fornals reveals his special relationship with David Moyes and what he expects from Julen Lopetegui.

Pablo Fornals is undoubtedly a modern day West Ham legend. Not only did he score the goal that cemented the club’s place in the Conference League final, but his overall work rate and attitude towards the club (both while being a West Ham player and since leaving) is amazing.

Unfortunately, towards the end of his career in claret and blue, he was competing with some unbelievable attacking options, and this led to limited game time. However, Fornals holds no resentment for this, he understands why he didn’t play as much as he would have liked and explains that he had a brilliant relationship with then manager David Moyes.

“Moyes is very trusting of his players,” Fornals told The Athletic. “For a long time, I was one of those 11 players. Then after 2022, we signed a lot. I was one of those he trusted, but it was difficult for me to get game time. He didn’t do it because he hated or disliked me.”

“The manager did a beautiful speech about me in front of everyone. It’s something I will never forget. The manager didn’t want me to leave but knew I wanted to play. Although he wasn’t able to play me week in, week out, that speech made me realise how proud he was of what I’d done and the love he had for me as a person. There’s some moments where words are not needed — I started crying.”

Moyes tended to favour hard workers over anything else, and attitude was a massive factor for him – it’s no wonder he loved Pablo so much.

Since leaving the club, there’s been an unbelievable amount of change from top to bottom at the club, with the biggest being the new manager. While it’s been far from an ideal start for Julen Lopetegui, Fornals is hopeful that he can do the job, and explains that it will take time to transition.

“I hope he does well. Right now it’s a process because the players have played a certain way for five years under Moyes. So new coaching methods under a new manager take time.”

A classy man who would have stayed at the club in a heartbeat if he had more playing time. Understandably, he had to put his career first but it’s clear there is only one team in his heart now.