Scot agrees deal to join Baggies
ALBION are delighted to announce that Alan Irvine will be appointed as their new Head Coach.
The 55-year-old has agreed a 12-month rolling contract and will complete his move to The Hawthorns once he has officially signed off from his current role as Everton’s academy manager.
He will take over the reins from Pepe Mel, with whom the club parted company by mutual consent just over a month ago.
Glasgow-born Irvine holds his UEFA Pro License and has a wealth of Barclays Premier League coaching experience having assisted David Moyes in helping Everton finish in the top seven in three out of five seasons.
He will bring with him Rob Kelly to work as Joint-Assistant Head Coach alongside Keith Downing, whilst Dean Kiely will remain as Goalkeeping Coach.
Albion Technical Director, Terry Burton, said: "I'm delighted we have been able to secure the services of Alan and Rob.
"With the support of Keith and Dean, we firmly believe we have put in place the right coaching team to move the club forward.
"From the outset, we decided to pursue candidates who are renowned for their coaching ability and Alan was very much at the forefront of our thoughts because of his achievements in the Premier League and the high regard he is held within the game.
"In the end it came down to two outstanding candidates for the role.
“But, following a detailed recruitment process, we decided Alan and the team around him are best suited to tackle the challenges we face in the Barclays Premier League.
“He has a vast knowledge from grassroots up thanks to the roles he has performed during his decades in the game and knows what it takes through good and testing times.”
Irvine has been manager of Everton’s highly-regarded Academy since July 2011 – bringing through players such as Ross Barkley and Jack Rodwell.
During a coaching career that spans 22 years he established a burgeoning reputation in Academy roles at Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers between 1992 and 2002.
He has also managed Preston North End, who he took to the Championship Play-offs in 2009, and Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship and League One.
As a player, Irvine started his 15-year career with Scottish side Queen’s Park in 1977 before spells with Everton, Crystal Palace, Dundee United and finally Blackburn, plying his trade as a winger under the likes of Steve Coppell and Kenny Dalglish.
He celebrated promotion to the then newly-formed Barclays Premier League with Rovers in 1991/92 before opting to hang up his boots the following summer.