West Ham United have announced that first-team coach Stuart Pearce will be leaving his role with immediate effect following two years working with David Moyes' backroom team.
The 60-year-old has helped the Hammers qualify for European competition in each of their least two seasons with sixth and seventh place finishes in the Premier League and played a key role in coaching the team alongside Moyes, Billy McKinlay, Kevin Nolan, Paul Nevin and Xavi Valero.
Pearce spent the final two years of his top-flight playing career at West Ham, winning the Hammer of the Year award at the age of 39 in 2001 and making 50 appearances in claret and blue, scoring three goals. He then returned to the club as one of Moyes' assistants in November 2017 before rejoining the coaching staff for a second time ahead of the 2020/21 season.
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Pearce said: “It is with a heavy heart that I have made this decision to leave West Ham United. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work at the Club over the past two years, but I have decided that now is the right time to step away and pursue other opportunities and challenges.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank David Moyes, David Sullivan, David Gold and Karren Brady for giving me the opportunity to return to West Ham. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time here – the football club is united at all levels and that is very pleasing to see. It has been fantastic to work with the players and staff every day at Rush Green, a very special environment that I will miss greatly. I wish everyone at the club all the very best for the future and will always have a special place in my heart for West Ham United."
Moyes added: “We thank Stuart for his hard work and dedication over the past two years. He has been a great help to myself and the team, and a popular figure who we will miss around the training ground. On behalf of all of the players and staff, I wish him every success in the future.”
