How happy are you after that win?
It is the glow you get after you win. The win was more than just a win tonight because it gets you to a final of a European competition. I’m thrilled, thrilled for the players, thrilled for everyone at the club. I’m really pleased for the owners of the club because they did say there were going to bring European football back to the London Stadium. Not only that, but we’ve now bought them a European final. I’m really pleased for the club.
How were you feeling when Pablo Fornals’ goal went in? Was it a huge sigh of relief?
It was. I knew we probably wouldn’t have a lot of possession. We’ve not been a side this season whose had it as much as we’d like but winning games, there’s different ways to win football matches. If football matches only had one way to win, then we would be bored. We won it tonight, we kept a clean sheet. That was part of the job, it’s part of any football, you’ve got to do that. We did a really good job of that, we were really organised, we had a good defensive structure when we needed it and I’ve got to say, I said from probably when the draw was made, I thought AZ was a really tough draw and it proved to be. They’ve got a good football team, played in a really good style and on the night, we were able to keep them out and nicked a goal.
It is obviously such a special night and positive moment, but there were some scenes in the crowd at the end. Can you explain what happened?
I can’t explain what happened or why it happened. I can only tell you that players were involved because it was the family section, where most of their family and friends were sat in. I think that is why, seeing friends and family in that area. That was probably the reason for the reaction. What I don’t want in any way is that to blight tonight because it wasn’t the West Ham fans who were looking for trouble. They were happy to celebrate at the end of the game. Hopefully, they will look into and find the reasons why.
Did you have any family and friends in that section?
My family were there and I had friends in that section.
Were you worried that they were getting caught up in that?
I think you’re hoping they would try and get themselves away from it, I had a couple of friends in that area. I didn’t recognise it because I was too happy to go on to the pitch and see the other people and the referee before I left. Security wanted to take me inside but I had to make sure the players were not going to get involved in it.
You said that if you got to the final, it would be the greatest moment of your career. Do you feel that is the case?
Yes, probably in many ways. I think in football, you always loath to put titles to things, but I think to get to a European final. Let’s be fair, last year, we got to a European semi-final and we came really, really close to a final. Maybe, you shouldn’t be too surprised. I don’t know if I’m quoting the right numbers, but I think we’ve won 15 [sic 13] and drawn one. We’ve got one more to go and see if we can win. We’re thrilled, so you have to say we’ve done a really good job in Europe this season and I’m really please.
Do you think sticking with Nayef Aguerd paid off, because you had a dilemma between him and Angelo Ogbonna for the game?
Yes. I think he’s a boy who, as I’ve said a number of times, is getting used to the Premier League and I think he’s got lots and lots of attributes, really good attributes. He might just take a bit of time, he might be one of the ones who takes a bit longer to get used to some things. I thought tonight, the game would suit him and I thought he did a good job.
How much did last year’s semi-final affect you this season and you have come full circle now?
I did. I talked about it to the players before we left. The disappointment we had in Frankfurt. The scenes in which we all got emotionally caught up. The scenes outside were incredible, I have to say the Frankfurt support was awesome, it really was. We just reminded the players about how we felt, how we didn’t want to feel that way again and I’ve got to tell you, there’s some [bloody] different in the dressing room tonight. It’s fantastic.
Have you ever been to Prague before?
I was thinking about it and I think I might have gone to a game, but maybe not. Tomas Soucek said he’s going to look after me, they’re going back home, I think it is back to their stadium, I think. I don’t know the outcome of the other game yet, but we will look forward to it and it’s a great achievement for West Ham football club to be in a European final.
Would you prefer to face Fiorentina or Basel?
I think when you go to a final, you are going to play good teams. I think AZ were a very good team. Them beating Anderlecht and Lazio gives you an idea. We might have not played our best in the two games, we played in a style that got us over the line and got us to the final.
Can you paint a picture of the dressing room right now?
Raucous would be the biggest what.
Who is doing what?
I don’t really want to give too much away, but it’s great because it’s something as a manager and players, you don’t get too often in your career. We’re enjoying tonight and the players are and the supporters will as well because they saw their club and team get to a final which is so important.
