Lucas Paqueta has sent a 2-word message to departing West Ham boss David Moyes following his final game as manager.
There were no lack of sub-plots when West Ham went to the Eithad to face Man City on the final day of the season.
The Premier League title was on the line, Mikel Arteta was pleading with his old mentor David Moyes and West Ham to help him realise his dream.
Talk of ex West Ham captain Declan Rice pleading with his old teammates to do him a favour.
Lost amongst all that there was the fact this was Moyes’ final game as West Ham manager.
After 261 matches over two spells, the Scot was bringing the curtain down on his Hammers career.
But perhaps even his career as a Premier League manager full stop depending on whether he receives any suitable offers from struggling teams around Christmas time.
Moyes not the only West Ham farewell
It was not the only potential West Ham farewell at the Etihad, though.
The likes of Aaron Cresswell, Angelo Ogbonna, Ben Johnson and Divin Mubama are all leaving.
And speculation continues to abound about Lucas Paqueta joining the team he just watched lift the title.
The Brazilian has had a strange time at West Ham so far.
Paqueta struggled to adapt in his first season. But Moyes helped him bed in and eventually the penny dropped for West Ham’s Brazilian magnifico.
He helped Moyes win West Ham a first major trophy in 43 years with that pass to Jarrod Bowen in Prague last summer.
And Paqueta started this season in superb form despite the fact he had seen a move to Man City collapse amid the FA investigation which still hangs over him.
Paqueta sends 2-word message to departing Moyes
Word is that Man City will activate his £85m release clause this summer if that case is concluded in the player’s favour.
Until then, though, the focus is on a changing of the guard in the dugout.
And Lucas Paqueta has sent a 2-word message to departing West Ham boss Moyes.
The pair have not always enjoyed the most harmonious of relationships.
Moyes often bemoaned that Paqueta would drive him mad at times.
Meanwhile supposed leaks from the player’s camp have in the past suggested Paqueta does not enjoy playing in Moyes’ defensive system.
Paqueta has been massively off from over the last few months. Many West Ham fans have accused him of costing ahead of an expected move to Man City.
An unlikely couple
Moyes has stuck by him throughout his difficulties on and off the pitch, though.
They’re an unlikely couple is so many ways. But it seems Paqueta certainly appreciated the manager.
He is one of the only West Ham players who have taken to social media so far to pay tribute – albeit a brief one – to Moyes.
“Thanks boss,” Paqueta said alongside a picture of him and Moyes and a heart emoji posted on his Instagram Stories after the 3-1 defeat at Man City.
Last week, after the 3-1 win over Luton, Paqueta’s wife sent a message to West Ham after joining him for a lap of honour around the London Stadium pitch.
Some have taken it to mean he might stay, others as a potential parting message.
But one thing that has been made perfectly clear by club insiders is that West Ham will only let Paqueta leave if his release clause is met.