West Ham: Behind-the-scenes decision was major shock at London Stadium | OneFootball

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GiveMeSport

·29 September 2022

West Ham: Behind-the-scenes decision was major shock at London Stadium

Article image:West Ham: Behind-the-scenes decision was major shock at London Stadium

West Ham United’s decision to appoint Mark Noble as sporting director is an ‘interesting one’ which ‘not many people’ will have seen coming, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Hammers legend announced his retirement after 18 years of service at the club last season but will return in a new role at the start of 2023.


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What is the latest news on Noble?

West Ham confirmed that the 35-year-old is set to take up the role of sporting director at the London Stadium at the turn of the year.

In their official statement, they said that Noble would begin his new position on January 2, 2023, having completed an Entertainment, Media and Sport Business course in America since stepping away from the pitch.

Journalist Dean Jones recently told GiveMeSport that his role will consist of ensuring new signings at the London Stadium buy into the club’s ethos.

After the news was officially announced, the former midfielder claimed he was ‘really happy’ to be returning and ‘couldn’t wait to get started’.

What has O’Rourke said on the situation?

O’Rourke said the decision to appoint Noble was one that not many had seen coming.

The journalist added that the club and fans will be hoping he can help the Hammers on the recruitment front moving forward.

O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: “It was an interesting appointment. I don’t think many people saw it coming. But we all know how popular Mark Noble is with the West Ham fanbase and he’s popular within the club as well. They’ll be hoping that he can step up to this new role and help West Ham going forward on the recruitment front and steady the ship off the pitch like he used to steady the ship on the pitch for West Ham.”

Will Noble be a success in his new role?

Having not taken up a position like this before, it is hard to judge how the club legend will perform come the new year.

But the fact Moyes is yet to put his full faith in his new recruits in the Premier League perhaps shows that the bedding in process for incoming signings is not all it could be.

Noble showed over his near-20-year career at West Ham just how good a leader and communicator he can be on the pitch and the board will want to see him perform a similar service in this role.

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