Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Arsenal - London Stadium, London, Britain - February 11, 2024 West Ham United manager David Moyes looks dejected after the match Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
Striker Sebastien Haller has spoken out about his spell with West Ham in a revealing and honest new interview.
When players leave with bruised egos they often can’t wait to have a dig at their old club.
But not Sebastien Haller and West Ham.
Haller became West Ham’s record signing when he arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt for £45m.
He would last just 18 months before being sold to Ajax for less than half that amount.
Like so many strikers that have come to West Ham down the years, Haller divided opinion as a player.
But sometimes clubs and players just don’t fit in football.
Now Haller has opened up on the truth behind his West Ham exit in a revealing new interview.
Speaking to The Athletic, Haller has been totally honest about his time with the Hammers.
He admits David Moyes did not have faith in him but holds no grudges.
And he even describes in spell at the London Stadium as a ‘nice experience’.
“West Ham was challenging but I learned a lot,” Haller says.
“It was a nice experience even if I left after 18 months. It was way too short but I had to make a decision.
“I could stay on the bench and not be useful, but even if I play I’m probably not the right man for the team, or go somewhere with someone I know.”
Haller has only had positive things to say about West Ham since leaving. And it’s very refreshing.
There is an old saying ‘once a Hammer, always a Hammer’ and that very much applies to ex striker Haller despite his difficult spell in east London.
The Ivory Coast international did so well at Ajax after leaving West Ham that he was snapped up by German giants Borussia Dortmund as Erling Haaland’s replacement when he joined Man City.
The quiet, unassuming former Hammers forward saw his career put on hold for six months after he was diagnosed with cancer just weeks after arriving back in Germany.
His comeback to the top level has been nothing short of remarkable.
It was cruel when Haller suffered the agony of missing a penalty as Dortmund lost the title on the final day of last season.
But he then tasted the joy of scoring the winner as Ivory Coast beat Nigeria 2-1 to lift the African Cup Of Nations last month.
