Frank McAvennie suggests where Mark Noble will want to be after he retires
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
West Ham icon Mark Noble is set to retire from professional football at the end of the 2021-22 season but he is keen to remain involved with the club going forward.
The 34-year-old has been with the Hammers for his entire career (barring loan spells at Ipswich and Hull) and is a legend in the eyes of every supporter worldwide.
He has rarely featured under David Moyes this season however with vice-captain Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek forming a formidable midfield duo at the London Stadium.
The Athletic explored what Noble’s options are post his playing career and they suggest he could even take up an academy role to help the ‘next Mark Noble’ on his way to the first-team.
According to the Daily Mail this week, talks are also underway over an “executive role” at the London Stadium.
Former Irons striker Frank McAvennie believes he needs to be involved in the coaching from next season as a mentor to the younger players rather than holding a position like that.
“What does executive role mean? That’s very vague,” McAvennie exclusively told West Ham Zone.
“I think if Noble is going to stay around I think he would want to be part of the coaching team. I’ve been an ambassador for West Ham and been all over the place meeting fans.
“Don’t get me wrong, it was great. But I don’t see Noble as being that kind of guy. He’s only just finished his career, or he will at the end of the season. I think he would want to be around the first team as a mentor or as a coach.
“I’m thinking a bit like Kevin Nolan. I can’t see him being a so-called ‘executive’, I’m sure he would like to stay around the team.”
McAvennie makes a great point bringing up Nolan who has been an assistant coach with the club since 2019 after he ended his own playing career.
He may have had player/manager roles at Leyton Orient and Notts County prior to returning to West Ham but his knowledge of the club has been valuable to Moyes so far.
No one has more of that knowledge than Noble does so it would be bonkers to shackle him to an executive role when he could offer so much to the coaching team.
In other West Ham news, they could be looking to replace a first-team regular next season with two names identified.