Alan Irvine renewed his successful partnership with David Moyes in 2019, acting as his fellow Scot’s assistant as they steered West Ham United away from relegation danger. The pair previously worked together at the club in 2017-18 and, earlier, at Everton. Irvine has also been an academy director at Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United and Everton, and managed in his own right at Preston North End, Sheffield Wednesday and West Bromwich Albion.
Irvine has been a highly respected coach since his playing days under mentors including Kenny Dalglish, at Blackburn, and Steve Coppell, at Crystal Palace. He also played for Queens Park, Everton and Dundee United.
After 15 years as a youth coach, academy director and assistant he was enticed to end what he admitted to being a long apprenticeship 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. They were edged out by Sheffield United in the play-offs – Preston and Irvine then parted company in December 2009.
The following month Irvine was appointed manager of Sheffield Wednesday quickly winning the Championship manager of the month. He guided the club to the fifth round of the FA Cup before leaving the Owls in 2011.
He returned to Everton as academy director before a spell managing in the Premier League at West Brom. He subsequently had a period as Alex Neil’s assistant at Norwich before teaming up again with Moyes.
Glasgow-born Irvine is a graduate of the LMA’s Certificate of Applied Management at Warwick University.