Irvine boings into the Hawthorns

Last updated : 14 June 2014 By Tony Scholes
Alan Irvine is the new man in charge at the Hawthorns

Irvine left Everton to join Preston back in 2007 and has more recently been back with the Goodison Park club as academy manager, but once he has officially signed off from his role there he will take over from Pepe Mel at West Brom.

Rob Kelly, once caretaker boss at Derby, will join him as his assistant whilst Keith Downing and Dean Kiely will continue in their positions of first team and goalkeeping coach respectively.

New technical director Terry Burton, himself a former Wimbledon manager, 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 in 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 had been back at Everton for the past three seasons and West Brom report that he is credited with bringing through players such as Jack Rodwell and Ross Barkley.

That leaves just one Premier League club without a manager or head coach but Southampton are expected to appoint Ronald Koeman in the very near future.