West Ham boss David Moyes believes reaching the UEFA Europa Conference League showdown could be the greatest achievement in his long managerial career.The Hammers take on Dutch club AZ Alkmaar in the semi-final, with the first leg in London on Thursday evening. West Ham are close to reaching their first European final in 47 years, while Moyes has never managed that feat as a manager.A reminder that West Ham are the only London team left in a European competition.Massive everywhere we go ⚒ pic.twitter.com/yYwuWYyRzv— COYIrons (@COYIronscom) May 11, 2023 Asked if that would be his crowning career achievement, Moyes said:”I think it would be. A European final? It could be, yeah.”I was fortunate to get to a Champions League quarter-final with Manchester United, lost on penalty kicks in the quarter-finals of the Europa League with Everton. Last season, I was in a semi-final with West Ham. This year we’re in a semi-final again. So I want to try and take it one step further.”##NAJAVA_MECA_7244745##Moyes says West Ham will be treating the game with the utmost severity. He adds the importance of the Conference League was clear to see when an emotional Jose Mourinho had tears of joy after winning the competition with Roma a year ago.”I refer back to probably the serial winner in Jose Mourinho,” added Moyes. “Winning this trophy was so special for him and his football club.”If ever I needed someone to show how hard it is, it would be Jose. He treated it as if it was so important. There’s no way we’re treating it any less than that.”Think you can eliminate Roma in the knockout stage? The previous seven thought the same…Asked if his side are favourites to go through, Moyes said:”I wouldn’t say so. I have a lot of respect for AZ and the way they play and what they’ve got.”They’re doing an amazing season. Any Dutch team you play are good, they are good football teams and are well-coached. It will be hard work for us.”##EDITORS_CHOICE##The Scottish manager believes his new players are starting to click.”Sir Alex Ferguson always used to talk about this [being] the time of the year where you had to be at your best,” added Moyes.”Having your best form at this time of the season is always a good thing. I do believe we are playing our best stuff right now and I think we can get much better. I hope we can do that in the coming games.”UEFA CONFERENCE LEAGUESemifinal, first legThursday22:00: (1.37) Fiorentina (4.90) Basel (8.50)22:00: (1.63) West Ham (4.00) AZ Alkmaar (6.25)***odds are subject to change***
