Declan Rice has hailed David Moyes as one of the best managers in West Ham United's history after beating Fiorentina 2-1 in Prague on Wednesday night to win the Europa Conference League – the club's first European silverware for 58 years.
After a goalless first half, Said Benrahma opened the scoring from the penalty spot on the hour mark before Giacomo Bonaventura restored parity for Fiorentina just seven minutes later.
However, Moyes's men had the last laugh as Jarrod Bowen etched his name into West Ham folklore with a dramatic 90th-minute winner to secure the club's first major trophy since lifting the 1980 FA Cup.
Moyes has faced adversity and has received widespread criticism during the 2022-23 campaign, with West Ham enduring a challenging domestic season and narrowly avoiding relegation from the Premier League.
Nevertheless, Hammers captain Rice has paid tribute to the 60-year-old after lifting the ECL trophy, and he believes that the Scotsman deserves all the plaudits that come his way for establishing the East Londoners as regulars in European competition, with Wednesday's triumph securing Europa League football for next season.
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Speaking to BT Sport, Rice said: "I want to say a big mention as well to the manager. There have been times this year when he's been tested, there was a period this year when a lot of the fanbase wanted him out because of results.
"But if you look at his time at this club, he's come in and saved us twice, then made Europe two years in a row and has now won that (the Europa Conference League).
"I think he's up there as West Ham's best-ever manager now, honestly it has to be said."
Rice added: "Tonight, the lads have been so on it. We had a real belief. I'm not just happy for us the manager, the fans, but everyone that does their all to help us perform. I'm not just happy for me, I'm happy for them. I'm so, so happy.
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"Without a doubt the best day in my career. It's not going to hit me to be honest with you. I'm just going to try and take this moment in."
Moyes, who has spent the last four years in charge of West Ham in his second spell at the club, is celebrating the first major trophy of his 25-year managerial career after leading the Hammers to victory over Fiorentina in his 1,097th match in the dugout.
John Lyall was the last manager to win silverware with West Ham 43 years ago, and Moyes has since described Wednesday's triumph as the best moment of his career to date.
Rice, meanwhile, has responded to speculation about his future and has admitted that there is "interest from other clubs" in his services ahead of the summer transfer window.
Oliver Thomas
