Alan Irvine has revealed how a coaching collaboration featuring Frankie McAvoy and Steven Naismith can work in perfect harmony for Hearts.
Irvine teamed up with McAvoy in Alex Neil’s backroom staff at Norwich. And he was assistant gaffer when Naisy starred for Everton and then the Canaries. The veteran coach hopes to hook up again with his two former colleagues on Sunday when the Jambos play a closed door friendly at Wigan. irvine put Naisy through his ‘B’ licence and believes he’s got a great future as a gaffer.
But while the 36-year-old graduates to UEFA Pro Licence level, it’s McAvoy at the helm and Gordon Forrest helping out as first team coach. Irvine said: “Frankie and I sat next to each other in the office at Norwich and, first and foremost, he’s a really nice guy. I went in as assistant manager, working alongside Frankie who was effectively assistant as well, although that wasn’t his title.
“But that wasn’t a problem at all. It was a pleasure. We got on well right from the beginning. I then had a caretaker spell when Alex lost his job and Frankie was a great help during that period. He’s highly organised and very good at dealing with the players. He put on nice coaching sessions, which players enjoyed.
“He just had a way about him those players liked. There’s a good personal touch there. I can see it working with Naisy – no problem. Frankie isn’t controversial or confrontational. He’ll be great support for Naisy.
“A new, young manager needs to find his own way of dealing with people. Naisy isn’t daft. He’ll realise he has to treat people well, the way he wanted to be treated.
“Of course, he’s got that fire in his belly which helped him be the player he was and will serve him well as manager, providing he knows how to channel that. I’ll be watching with great interest. They’ve invited me up to the training ground. I’ll take them up on that at some point.”
Irvine, currently in an advisory role for West Ham, managed Preston, Sheffield Wednesday and West Brom. But he’s specialised as a go-to assistant for a host of clubs including Newcastle, Blackburn, Norwich, Everton and the Hammers.
He’s been in many lively coaches rooms where strong opinions fly around. So he’s comfortable with various voices enjoying a say in the new-look Hearts dynamic where McAvoy insists he’s got last word on team selection.
Irvine, 65, said: “I never felt in a position with Frankie at Norwich where, if the manager wanted our opinion, we had to score points. Not at all. Crikey, David Moyes at West Ham in the last few years had lots of former managers working for him.
“If you look at last season alone it was Mark Warburton, Billy McKinlay, Kevin Nolan and Paul Nevin all have been managers. Stuart Pearce and I were also in that category in previous years.
“As a manager, you want people to have an opinion, feedback. Meetings that lead to that final decision should be open, honest and frank. We were comfortable that David’s decision might be contrary to what we felt was best. We’re all looking for the same thing. Winning a game for the club we’re working for at the weekend. So you all need to pull in the same direction.
“I’ve been asked to be assistant by three people I didn’t previously know. On each occasion I asked a non-negotiable ‘are you prepared to accept my opinion regardless of whether you like it or not?’ If anyone was to say ‘no’ then you walk away immediately. You can’t really assist anyone properly if you’re not properly open and honest with them.”
McAvoy and Irvine left Norwich when Daniel Farke arrived in 2017. The ex-Hamilton academy director then followed Neil to Preston North End. That’s where he finally made the managerial breakthrough, albeit falling into the job when Neil was sacked after nearly four years in charge.
McAvoy stayed in charge for nine months at Deepdale. Irvine said: “I don’t think Frankie ever really wanted to be a boss. In fact, I don’t think Frankie ever thought - going back to working in the Post Office - he’d be in full-time football.
“Then never thought he’d be working in England and I certainly don’t think he was ever going to be a head coach for Hearts. It’s great and I am really happy for him. He’s worked hard.
As for Naisy, Irvine said: “Going back to the Everton days, Steven was already keen on coaching I’ve a very good relationship with him and he’ll make a good coach and good manager.”
