Leon Osman says David Moyes deserves the success he is currently enjoying with West Ham.
The Everton legend has plenty of fond memories of Moyes from his long stint at Goodison Park and is pleased to see his former manager riding high in the Premier League with West Ham.
Osman feels that, while Moyes has had a mixed career after leaving Everton for Manchester United, his biggest mistake was opting to take charge of Sunderland.
He told Ladbrokes: "I'm absolutely made up for David Moyes. He never became a bad manager after leaving Everton - he just came up against tricky situations. He deserved longer at Manchester United.
"Because he didn't reach the standards of Sir Alex Ferguson he was moved on - but Fergie was always going to be a difficult act to follow.
"His confidence was hit, and he went out to Spain where he didn't do too badly out there in a different country with a different culture. He'd have learned a lot from that job.
"The bad choice he made was going to manage Sunderland. Sunderland were on such a downward spiral at that point, it was going to be near impossible for him to stop it. Obviously that's on your CV then, you've been in charge of a side that's been relegated.
"But he's back now, and he showed during his first spell in charge of West Ham what he's capable of. I was disappointed that he didn't get the job permanently the first time around, but I'm pleased that he was given a second chance there, and look at them now.
"You always felt that West Ham on their day could turn up and beat anyone, but when it wasn't their day, they were a pushover. West Ham are not a pushover anymore. They're very difficult to beat whether they're playing well or not, and that's a trait he built at Everton as well."
He continued: "David Moyes was my manager but we worked together for so long that he became my friend. So once he left Everton I wanted him to succeed, obviously.
"I was a bit disappointed that he left Everton because I still thought we were progressing and improving even after all those years, but when an opportunity came up like it did, it's difficult to turn it down.
"I'm just pleased he's recovered now and is showing what he can do again. He builds character within a team; he toughens things up and they're now starting to express themselves on the pitch."
