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New West Ham boss David Moyes: 'I think I am a good manager'

LONDON -- David Moyes has declared that he is still "a good manager" as he met the press after taking over at West Ham United.

Moyes, appointed on Monday to replace Slaven Bilic, sacked on Monday with the Hammers in the relegation zone, has signed a contract until the end of the season and said he had "a point to prove" after losing his job at each of Manchester United, Real Sociedad and Sunderland after 11 successful years at Everton. Sunderland were relegated under him last season.

"It's good for me," he said at a news conference at the London Stadium. "I am back in, it's what I do. I want to do well, I want the team to do well and it's good for West Ham, I think I am a good manager.

"Sometimes you have to repair things and I have things I need to repair," he said. "My biggest challenge is to get the team ready and the games come thick and fast."

Moyes' appointment has not been a popular choice among Hammers fans, and the new man admitted he has plenty to prove.

"There are so many avenues to voice your opinion," he said in response to heavy social media criticism. "The best thing to do is win games and get the supporters behind the team. The players need to stand up as well."

Moyes said that Bilic was a good friend and someone he admired. And he refused to criticise his predecessor, who has been accused of allowing players to fall into indiscipline.

"There will be no favours," Moyes said. "If they don't do the running then they are not playing. I am in a hurry and they need to be as well. Once they know they are not performing they need to take responsibility. We will give them sessions and plenty of them, it'll be tough for them."

West Ham's backroom staff is still to be appointed, but Moyes confirmed Stuart Pearce, former Hammers player and England captain, has been approached.

"I'm in talks with a couple of people and Stuart Pearce is one of them. Hopefully I will have something settled by the end of the week."

And Moyes is indeed in a hurry to make his mark having only signed an initial contract until the end of the season, something he maintains he is comfortable with.

"I think it is a chance for both parties to get to know each other,'' he added.

"I have said it often enough about loan players. If you think he is good enough you try to keep him, if you don't then he goes back to his parent club. It's no different for me now.''

Joint-chairman David Sullivan has admitted the appointment of the man who took Sunderland down last season represents a gamble.

But Moyes insisted: "I think it's a good gamble and if I was a West Ham chairman I would certainly consider David Moyes as manager, that's for sure.''