West Bromwich Albion appoint Alan Irvine as new head coach

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/14/alan-irvine-west-bromwich-albion-head-coach

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Alan Irvine has been appointed as West Bromwich Albion’s new head coach.

The 55-year-old former Preston North End and Sheffield Wednesday manager 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 bring with him Rob Kelly to work as joint-assistant head coach alongside Keith Downing, while Dean Kiely will remain as goalkeeping coach.

The former Tottenham Hotspur coach Tim Sherwood is understood to have turned down the role.

“I’m delighted we have been able to secure the services of Alan and Rob,” said West Brom’s technical director, Terry Burton.

“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.”