New West Ham Boss David Moyes Announces Trio of Assistants to Aid Relegation Battle

New West Ham United boss David Moyes has confirmed a trio of assistants to help him take on the task of steering the relegation troubled club away from the bottom three of the Premier League following the sacking of Slaven Bilic. 

The 54-year-old will be joined in his first managerial position since departing relegated  Sunderland at the end of last season by Alan Irvine, Stuart Pearce and Billy McKinlay. 

59-year-old Irvine will rekindle former relationships with the Scot at the London Stadium, with the two having worked together at both Preston North End and Everton. 

The Glasgow-born now-Hammers assistant has managerial experience of his own, taking the hot seat at the Lilywhites, Sheffield Wednesday and West Bromwich Albion, before being instated as assistant at Norwich City, where he worked under Alex Neil. 

“I’m delighted to be given this opportunity and am really looking forward to the challenge ahead", the former winger told West Ham's official website. 

"I obviously know David well from our time together at Preston and Everton, and it was certainly a big attraction to work with him again, as was the thought of coming to a club like West Ham.

“This is the sixth job I have been offered since leaving Norwich at the end of last season – some of which were very attractive - but it’s the first one that has persuaded me to accept, so I hope that says a lot about how excited I am to be here.

“The prospect of working in the Premier League, at a great club, and alongside David, meant that it was an opportunity I couldn’t resist, and I hope that I can now make a positive contribution."

Joining Irvine will be former Hammers player Pearce, who turned out 50 times for the east Londoners between 1999 and 2001. 

Similarly to his new colleague, the ex-England international has managerial experience of his own, taking the reigns at Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, the England Under-21 national side and the Great Britain olympic team in 2012 to name but a few. 

“I’m really looking forward to coming in and getting involved”, the 55-year-old added. 

“The opportunity to work with David Moyes, who I have respected greatly over the years, was a big factor, as was having previously played for the club.

“It’s been many years since I was there for a couple of seasons, but I really enjoyed my time. The West Ham fans were fantastic to me and I’m looking forward to coming back.

“It’s tough times at the moment but it’s a fantastic opportunity for me. I’m really excited by the challenge.”

Moyes has also brought in another familiar face to assist him in his task until the end of the season, with McKinlay leaving his caretaker manager post at Sunderland to join up with the aforementioned duo at the London Stadium. 

The pairing have worked together before in the past at both Real Sociedad and Sunderland, however they will be hoping the outcome this time is slightly more fortuitous than their previous escapades.