Mark Noble has been appointed West Ham’s new sporting director, returning to his boyhood club only four months on from his retirement.
Noble called time on an 18-year playing career in which he appeared well over 500 times for the Hammers at the end of last season. The midfielder had not announced plans beyond his retirement but was informed there would be a role for him at the club whenever he wanted it and the 35-year-old is now set to take up the newly-created post in January.