ALAN IRVINE IS the new Head Coach of West Bromwich Albion.
The 55 year-old Scot, who had been working as the academy manager at Everton, replaces Pepe Mel and has signed a 12-month rolling contract.
Tim Sherwood had been the red-hot favourite to land the job but according to reports, Irvine, whose previous managerial experience amounts to spells at Preston North End and Sheffield Wednesday, impressed the top-brass at The Hawthorns during a second interview.
Irvine had been in the mix for the West Brom job five years ago but the club decided to go with the youthful exuberance of Roberto Di Matteo instead.
After a playing career that included stints with Everton, Crystal Palace, Dundee United and Blackburn, Irvine began his coaching career at Goodison Park where he was assistant to David Moyes for a time. He took the Preston job in late 2007 but was sacked two years later.
A move to Sheffield Wednesday came about shortly after but his tenure was disappointing and he stayed at Hillsborough for just over a year.
He returned to Everton in the summer of 2011 to oversee the club’s youth programme and his training-ground nous is believed to be one of the key reasons behind West Brom’s decision to bring him in.
Irvine may have impressed the board but his first assignment will be to impress the club’s supporters. Following on from the underwhelming appointment of Mel, Irvine’s arrival won’t get them over-excited.
The Baggies narrowly missed out on relegation from the top-flight last season, finishing 17th having racked up thirty-six points from thirty-eight games.
Come on Cork, sent the Bitter boys home empty handed
@Andrew Cosgrave: How’s that big Cork bandwagon going for ya?
@John McNamara: Anyone but the Bitter boys John
@Andrew Cosgrave: ye were bitter in 2013 buddy and havent been heard since, then ye come out of the woodwork when ye win a few games
@John McNamara: I’m a Limerick man John, plenty of rivalry there between Clare and us.
@Andrew Cosgrave: haha Limerick hurling??? Laughable!
@John McNamara: Ye, ye, ye, ye and ducking ye.
@John McNamara: I would say enjoy it John but you lot were soundly beaten today. All talk of big balls with no substance. Maybe poor auld Davey wasn’t holding back these players after all, maybe they just ain’t good enough to consistently contest. Clare’s Munster record is atrocious in fairness, even ‘laughable’ Limerick have a way richer recent Munster history than the world beating Bitter boys.
@Andrew Cosgrave: no doubt Cork were the better team and they deserved it, Clare had too many individuals…..but do not ever praise Davy, that man was a drain on the entire county, nobody realises what he is like until he is over the county team. Clare players are more than good enough to contest, they just need to be let play with their instincts. Limerick on the other hand, I’d say an u8 team would beat that gaggle of geese
Following the live blog in Romania. Rebels Abu
@Anthony P: multmesc
Poor quality game but Cork are slightly better team so far and the defence are holding up ok.Ref has given clare one or two really handy ones and very little in the peanlty could possibly be a free out for overplaying.RTE panelists are a joke its all what Clare can do to win, two teams their lads.
I hope clare lose this and wexford draw them in 1/4 final.
@David Higginbotham: my bad don’t think losers of munster and leinster can meet at that stage .
Poor match so far
Every game I watched in the Munster championship has been enthralling. Outstanding hurling, especially from Cork. Why are there no black or Muslin hurling players?
Is Nash knackered?
Now Kevin, call it as it is ör we will…..l am Sirian sorry serious…
Clare are woeful