Jurgen Klopp joked West Ham United must keep David Moyes in charge to prevent him from becoming the oldest manager in the Premier League.
The Hammers boss enjoyed his 64th birthday on Tuesday, making him the second oldest boss in the league behind Roy Hodgson who is 75 - who returned as Crystal Palace boss a few weeks ago.
Klopp takes his side to the London Stadium on Wednesday, looking to keep their slim UEFA Champions League hopes alive and the German was in a jovial mood as he explained why he wanted the Scot to keep his job when speculation was rife that he could be sacked with the east London outfit fighting against relegation to the Championship.
READ MORE: Declan Rice transfer claim made as ex-Tottenham forward makes David Moyes West Ham job admission
"If West Ham had sacked David Moyes I would have been the oldest manager in the Premier League and I didn't want that!" the 55-year-old said. "David has to stay! He's a top colleague."
Moyes, in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, also made a similar remark to Klopp. When asked if he was happy to see the former England manager return to the Selhurst Park dugout, the ex-Manchester United and Everton boss said that he was 'thrilled' to no longer be the oldest manager in the league.
"I am thrilled that Roy is now back for all of those reasons. I remember Jurgen mentioned it to me earlier in the season. It didn’t seem right being the oldest manager in the Premier League, but that’s what longevity does to you and sometimes, if you can stay the course then you do become the oldest one. Roy has shown that hopefully, there’s plenty more years to come as well."
READ NEXT
- ‘Bit of magic’ - The inside track on West Ham ‘signing’ Sean Moore amid Newcastle transfer links
- What David Moyes told Declan Rice to inspire Bournemouth goal amid pointed transfer message
- West Ham’s Pablo Fornals breaks silence after tears following scorpion kick goal vs Bournemouth
- Every word David Moyes said on Bournemouth win, Declan Rice, Lucas Paqueta and Pablo Fornals
- West Ham’s David Moyes responds to Pablo Fornals tears after scorpion kick goal vs Bournemouth
