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In January 2023, West Ham icon Mark Noble will return to the team where he spent nearly his entire playing career to assume the newly created sporting director position.
After 18 seasons with his childhood team, Noble, 35, announced his retirement at the end of the previous season.
Soon after ending his illustrious playing career with the Irons, Mark Noble will return to West Ham as sporting director.
Noble will collaborate closely with the current board and Hammers manager David Moyes in a newly created post.
Noble played for the East Londoners for 22 years, scoring 62 goals in 550 games before hanging up his boots at the end of the previous campaign.
Almost all of the 35-year-old senior’s career was spent with the Hammers, with the exception of a couple of brief loan stints with Hull City and Ipswich Town.
Noble, a native of Canning Town, broke down in tears during his final home game for the team in mid-May.
Nevertheless, he was beaming when he was introduced as West Ham’s new sporting director on Thursday.
The Englishman is scheduled to start in his new position on January 2, 2023.
In a statement from the club, the Hammers said: “His West Ham United career is now set to continue in a newly-created position where Noble will work closely in support of manager David Moyes.
As well as work with the Board of Directors, providing input, advice, and assistance across all aspects of the football operation.”
Noble prepared himself for the role by taking an Entertainment, Media, and Sports Business leadership course at Harvard Business School in the United States this summer.
“I’m incredibly excited to be going back and can’t wait to start.
It’s a huge honor for me to take on this responsibility at West Ham United, so I’d want to thank the club for the opportunity.
I’ve played here for the past 24 years, first with the Academy and then with the first team, so it goes without saying that I have a thorough knowledge of the organization.
The last seven years have given me such great experience and preparation for the next stage of my life and career.
That became even more important to me when I was named club captain in 2015, and the one thing I strived for more than anything throughout my playing career was constant improvement, on and off the pitch.”
The 35-year-old’s responsibilities will include a focus on player recruiting, expanding the academy, and ensuring the wellness of both players and staff, in addition to providing input, guidance, and assistance across West Ham’s football business.
