Related items

• David Moyes will not compare himself to Ron Greenwood and John Lyall

  David Moyes may stand just one match from writing his name into West Ham folklore, but he will not compare himself to the club’s two managerial greats.

  If the Hammers overcome Fiorentina in the final of the Europa Conference League on Wednesday night, Moyes will become only the third manager, after Ron Greenwood and John Lyall, to guide the east London club to a major trophy.

  Greenwood, who went on to manage England, was in charge when West Ham won their only previous European trophy, the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1964, while their last piece of silverware, the FA Cup, came under Lyall in 1980.

  Yet Moyes insisted: “I don’t think of myself as any different to anyone else in this room.

  “I’m really fortunate and privileged and thankful to be given an opportunity to be a football manager and to have the opportunity to go this far in my career and be on a stage like this.

  “I think it’s really special. I don’t ever really think of myself as being a legend or any words like that.

  “I’d just like to be known as a football manager and one who’s serious about his job and tries to do the best he possibly can, week-in week-out, try to prepare my teams to be competitive.

  “I’d like to be known as much for that as much as I would the word ‘legend’, really.”

  The final will hold special memories for West Ham’s Czech duo Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek, who both played for Slavia Prague at the Eden Arena.

  Midfielder Soucek said: “When I realised one year ago that the final was in Prague and we were in this competition, I was like, ‘come on guys, we have to go there’.

  “And now we are here in the Eden Arena in Prague, I can connect with the two teams I love.”

• Al-Ittihad confirm Karim Benzema deal after striker’s Real Madrid farewell

  Karim Benzema has completed his move to Al-Ittihad, the Saudi Arabian club have confirmed.

  The striker is leaving Real Madrid in the summer and has signed a three-year deal with the Saudi champions.

  Benzema was allowed to leave the Bernabeu after 14 years after voiding the 12-month extension he had.

  Earlier on Tuesday, the 35-year-old vowed he will never forget Real.

  The France international scored 354 goals in 648 games and won a club-record 25 trophies during his time with the LaLiga side.

  “I’ll never forget Real Madrid because it’s impossible,” he told a farewell press conference.

  “It’s difficult to talk. There are so many emotions. I wanted to thank Real Madrid and my team-mates. It’s been a good journey in my life.

  “I was lucky enough to fulfil my childhood dream thanks to the president, who a long time ago, when I was just 21 years old, went to my house, with my parents.

  “When I saw you I said, he’s the man who brought Zizou and Ronaldo and now he wants me in his team. Thank you very much for that.

  “I’ll never forget Real Madrid because it is impossible. It’s the best club in the world and in history, that’s as good as it gets. It’s time for me to leave today and to have another story, but the most important thing for me is what I’ve won here.

  “It’s a little bit of a sad day, because I’m leaving this club and that pains me. My dream was in my head, I signed for Madrid and I wanted to finish at Madrid, but life sometimes gives you another opportunity and I’ve taken it with all my family.”

  Benzema joined from Lyon in 2009 and won four LaLiga titles and five Champions League crowns. He also won the 2022 Ballon d’Or.

  Real president Florentino Perez said: “Today is a very difficult day for me. It’s a day that brings back memories and the emotions of the last 14 years and it’s also a day of sentiment and emotions for all madridistas.

  “A period of enormous anticipation began 14 years ago for all madridistas, one of the most impressive in our 121 years of history.”

• Karim Benzema says it is ‘impossible’ to forget Real Madrid as he bids farewell

  Karim Benzema has vowed he will never forget Real Madrid.

  The striker will leave the Bernabeu in the summer when his contract expires after 14 years at the club.

  The France international scored 354 goals in 648 games, won a club-record 25 trophies and is now expected to move to Saudi Arabia to join Al-Ittihad.

  “I’ll never forget Real Madrid because it’s impossible,” he told a farewell press conference.

  “It’s difficult to talk. There are so many emotions. I wanted to thank Real Madrid and my team-mates. It’s been a good journey in my life.

  “I was lucky enough to fulfil my childhood dream thanks to the president, who a long time ago, when I was just 21 years old, went to my house, with my parents.

  “When I saw you I said, he’s the man who brought Zizou and Ronaldo and now he wants me in his team. Thank you very much for that.

  “I’ll never forget Real Madrid because it is impossible. It’s the best club in the world and in history, that’s as good as it gets. It’s time for me to leave today and to have another story, but the most important thing for me is what I’ve won here.

  “It’s a little bit of a sad day, because I’m leaving this club and that pains me. My dream was in my head, I signed for Madrid and I wanted to finish at Madrid, but life sometimes gives you another opportunity and I’ve taken it with all my family.”

  Benzema joined from Lyon in 2009 and won four LaLiga titles and five Champions League crowns. He also won the 2022 Ballon d’Or.

  Real president Florentino Perez said: “Today is a very difficult day for me. It’s a day that brings back memories and the emotions of the last 14 years and it’s also a day of sentiment and emotions for all madridistas.

  “A period of enormous anticipation began 14 years ago for all madridistas, one of the most impressive in our 121 years of history.”