Personal reasons are being cited as the reason for Alan Irvine's surprise departure from David Moyes's coaching staff, it must be quite a serious set of circumstances that require the manager's No2 to step down so suddenly, and on the eve of Hammers Europa League adventure.
Irvine has been a mainstay of the backroom staff who have overseen the transition of the club from failures to winners, losing him will be a massive blow, only West Ham could allow such a situation to occur! The Scot will be replaced by another of his countrymen, Billy McKinlay.
McKinlay worked with Moyes during his first spell at the London Stadium, but losing Irvine is a big blow whichever way it is viewed. At least there will be a 'bedding in' period for the new assistant, although whether he will take over the role as a No2 directly is a matter of some conjecture.
The coaching team that Moyes assembled is a well oiled machine with each staff member specialising in certain areas, perhaps Kev 'chicken kiev' Nolan might assume the support role, or even Mark Noble! Realistically Noble's opportunities to play will become almost non-existent in the future, so why not incorporate him into the coaching staff as a player/coach?
There have been plenty of player/managers in the past, so why not have a player coach? It makes perfect sense, the manager 'hurls on' his assistant towards the end of the game to shore things up, much like is done at the moment, but if the coach has worked with the players ahead of the game, the chances are his impact will be far greater.
Alan Irvine's departure is a big blow, but the show must go on. - Ed
Comments
Chicken Kiev
That's a great name...!
As you say Nev, must be a
As you say Nev, must be a serious set of circumstances. Irvine has been a trusted no2 to Moyes for most of Moyes managerial career.
seen it reported
That his family live in the north still and they do not want to move down to London.....so i do not blame him for prioritizing his family there will be other jobs in football for him but the same as when players move on they get replaced and it seems Moyes has moved swiftly on that front as well.
He knicked lingards watch and
He knicked lingards watch and did a runner lol.
I understand he will still be
I understand he will still be working for the club in what has been described as a consultancy role so possibly scouting and watching opponents in the north?