David Moyes is expected to ask fellow Scotsman Alan Irvine to join him at West Ham as early as tomorrow.
Alan Irvine was most recently caretaker manager at Norwich City, having been assistant manager under Alex Neil and previously manager at West Bromwich Albion.
Irvine’s first job in football management was with Preston North End where he led the club into the play-offs in his first full season as a manager. Irvine has been a highly respected coach since his playing days under mentors including Kenny Dalglish and Steve Coppell.
He was academy director at both Blackburn and Newcastle before taking a coaching job at Everton, where he had served three years as a player.
Alan’s first spell at Goodison, was as assistant manager under David Moyes during an era of revival at Goodison Park. He became settled and fulfilled in the role but was enticed to end what he admitted to being a long apprenticeship – 15 years on the training ground – when Preston came calling in November, 2007.
Irvine rallied a relegation-threatened team and steered them to a comfortable 15th place before inspiring a promotion bid in 2008-09. North End stormed into the top six with a late run that earned him the manager of the month prize in April. They were edged out by Sheffield United in the play-offs – Preston and Irvine then parted company in December 2009.
He was then appointed manager of Sheffield Wednesday on January 8, 2010. In his first week in the role, Irvine secured nine points with three wins in a row, on the way to winning the Championship manager of the month award for January 2010.
The following campaign he again was awarded the manager of the month, this time for August 2010 and he also guided the club to the 5th round of the FA Cup. He remained with the Owls until February 2011.
He returned to Everton as academy director on July 13, 2011 before he joined WBA as their new manager prior to the 2014/15 season.
As a winger, Glasgow-born Irvine progressed from Queens Park to Everton, Crystal Palace – under Coppell – Dundee United and Blackburn, where he was part of the Dalglish side that won promotion to the Premier League in 1992.
He is also a graduate of the LMA’s Certificate of Applied Management at Warwick University.
I actually hope he does bring Neville in, they were a good team at Everton when Neville stopped playing, as for Pearce although he is a no nonsense character not sure about his coaching credentials, he may have all the certificates but I haven’t seen anything in teh teams he managed including the u21’s that screamed of a progressive approach. Would be nice if he could look at some great young coaches that are more au fait with the modern game but lets wait and see…
Ready to see what rest of staff would be I liked Pearce & he wanted to come but Moyes said on Talksport it was unlikely.
But hope we get a good mix freshen things up with differtn ideas.
But w Bobby I’m backing Moyes & has a point to prove w have a decent squad good youth and finally a new staff coming in so should start playing as team and some good footy
When asking a WBA season ticket holder for insights into Alan Irvine his reply was “You’ll enjoy it in the Championship!…..then Div 1”
Comments about David Moyes from our fans have been very harsh, he is our new Manager and we should support him fully!!!…….time will tell if he is the gaffer who can get the best from our squad (and youngsters)…..The player’s MUST! STEP UP…… let’s give them ALL our best support!!……..COYI !!!
Well said Bobby I totally agree let’s give the man our support
Sounds like a good selection . New broom and all that .