David Moyes has lifted the lid on the real reason he didn’t respond to chants from West Ham fans during the game against Luton.
West Ham’s final home game of the season had looked like being a flame attracting negativity moths just over a week ago.
The Hammers hierarchy seemed to be doing due diligence on a plethora of managers.
David Moyes had just overseen another heavy defeat – this time at London rivals Chelsea – but continued to insist no decision would be made on his future until the end of the season.
That was despite widespread speculation West Ham and Moyes would be parting ways.
The Scot took the unprecedented measure of banning technical director Tim Steidten from being around the Hammers first team.
And the owners were coming under fire from fans, journalists and pundits over their handling of the Moyes situation with many accusing them of a lack of class and respect.
Hammers News and a host of others called for David Sullivan and co to bring the Moyes decision and announcement forward.
From farce to a fitting and fond farewell
For no other reason than to allow supporters to give him the send-off he deserved after four-and-a-half years in east London.
On Monday night the Hammers did just that, paving the way for what turned out to be a fitting farewell before, during and after the 3-1 win over Luton.
During the game West Ham’s nosiest section of the ground repeatedly serenaded the manager with the ‘We’ve got Super David Moyes’ chant.
The supporters also chanted ‘Champions of Europe, you made us sing that’ and ‘Moyesie, give us a wave’ on loop.
Moyes did not acknowledge any of the chants during the match.
That prompted some light-hearted jeers from the West Ham fans showing their appreciation of the manager.
Some thought he may be miffed at how he has been treated. That he was holding a grudge or making a point.
Now Moyes has lifted the lid on the real reason he didn’t respond to those West Ham fan chants.
Moyes on real reason he didn’t respond to fan chants
As is usually the case with the Scot, it was down to pure class on his part even if it might have disappointed some Hammers fans.
Moyes has told BBC Sport the reason for his subdued demeanour on the sidelines despite the outpouring from fans.
It was because he did not want to be seen to be disrespectful to Luton boss Rob Edwards and his team or to be rubbing any salt in their relegation wounds.
In the interview Moyes makes it clear he was emotional at hearing what the fans were chanting.
But he wanted to be respectful to his Hatters counterpart.
“Strangely enough (Luton’s situation) was partly the reason why I was quite subdued today,” Moyes said.
“Because I knew the other manager was not far away (from) getting relegated…
“I think you’ve always got to work out how the other manager feels as well and I feel bad for Rob today.
Classy until the end
“(But there was) huge emotion let me tell you. Just being a manager of such a great football club and sometimes when you think you’ve done a good job, you know it’s good that people sort of applaud you.
“And I think today they applauded, not just the performance, but I think overall the four years that we’ve done a pretty good job here and given them things they haven’t had for a while.
“European football, some really big nights here, we increased the capacity here and overall I have to say I think there’s been progress made and I’m looking forward to seeing the next steps for West Ham. Because it’s a big club, big potential.
“Lots and lots of room for things to get much better here. So hopefully that happens.”
There was time for Moyes to acknowledge the fans and vice versa after the game.
With Luton having vacated after their own moment with their supporters, Moyes made his way around the London Stadium pitch one last time.
He was serenaded again – just as he had been on that famous night in Lyon – and was able to respond in kind.
A fitting end to a job well done and due respect given to one of the club’s best ever managers.