A manager who recently won the UEFA Conference League has made an intriguing claim about Nottingham Forest as the dust settles on his time as the manager.
The boss has claimed that back in the early thousands he was offered the Forest managerial position and actually turned it down.
At that time, the Reds were at the start of a period that saw them appoint a number of managers, undergoing a firm mud-throwing exercise hoping that something would stick.
Now, after making these claims, it will get Forest fans thinking what might have happened had they been given the green light by the manager all those years ago.
David Moyes admits he was offered job at Nottingham Forest
The likeable manager has just departed West Ham after seven years and he led the Hammers to the UEFA Conference League title in 2022/23.
Moyes has enjoyed a wonderful career in management, taking charge of Preston, Everton, Manchester United, Real Sociedad and Sunderland during his time in the dugout.
Forest were trying to take Moyes before he got the Everton job – a position he held for over 10 years – and it’s intriguing to think what might have been for both parties had Forest got their man.
He told the Up Front podcast with Simon Jordan: “I have to say, I was offered Sheffield Wednesday, Southampton, Nottingham Forest and I’d met them all. I do it with respect and I say this out of respect, I wasn’t doing it behind people’s backs.
“I didn’t have a Walter Smith or Sir Alex advising me so I met them out of respect. I’d turned down, well not turned down but I’d decided not to take those opportunities at that time.”
Forest under Moyes could have hit the jackpot
Throughout his career, Moyes has come under fire for his style of play but ultimately he can take a lot of pride from his achievements.
Not only did he win the UEFA Conference League but he also helped Everton to a top-four finish during his time at Goodison Park.
Moyes looks like the manager that Forest were desperately craving at the time.
The club needed some stability and Moyes has always had a reputation for squeezing every drop of commitment out of his players.
Furthermore, Moyes has a great track record of working with youth and at that time, Forest had a number of talented academy players coming through the ranks.
In another world, Forest were given the nod by Moyes and instead of taking 23 years to return to the Premier League, he got the back in a matter of seasons.
What might have been, eh…
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