ExWHUemployee: David Martin set for new West Ham role as player-coach
Goalkeeper David Martin is set to sign a new contract and stay at West Ham in a new role, according to ExWHUemployee.
The Irons insider made the claim on his personal Twitter profile after West Ham announced their retained squad list for next season.
He wrote: “Looks like he will now be staying on probably with a role working with the academy keepers and as a backup. He is a very good person off the field and very popular.”
Martin’s original deal is set to expire at the end of June, but he was not named as one of the players who would be departing in the official announcement on the club website.
The 35-year-old failed to make an appearance for the Irons last season, but he did play five times in the Premier League during the previous campaign.
Wise move
This seems like a very sensible and well-thought-through plan – so surely GSB can’t be behind it.
Retaining the services of someone so highly-regarded in the dressing room is a nifty move to retain the strong camaraderie at the club, and he’s evidently had a big influence in the camp.
His time as a player looks to be coming to an end, although it is always handy to have him registered in the event of any emergencies.
But the club probably looked at him and thought that while it’s difficult to justify paying someone a wage just because they keep spirits up, there can be other uses for him.
Keeping him onboard and using him as a coach means the club doesn’t have to go out and recruit someone else for that role, and it keeps a sense of continuity at the club.
Martin is a lifelong Irons supporter as well, so he will surely be delighted with this new position and is likely to give his all to ensure it is a success.
In other West Ham news, Jose Mourinho makes key decision as Irons eye summer swoop for 19-year-old history-maker.
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