West Ham United's new first-team coach Mark Warburton admits he wanted to challenge himself after his recent move to the London Stadium.
Warburton, who last season managed Queens Park Rangers, left Loftus Road earlier this summer and rather than taking another position as a manager, opted to join David Moyes backroom staff and has just started his third full week with the Hammers.
The 59-year-old, who has also previously managed Brentford, Rangers and Nottingham Forest, felt that while another job as a club manager would have been an easy option, he wanted to test himself at the highest level, joining West Ham at the start of their pre-season training last month.
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Speaking on the move, the former QPR boss admitted that the opportunity was too good to ignore and hopes he has made the right decision.
"It’s different, it’s a challenge," Warburton told football.london . "My whole decision was to challenge myself coming to work for an outstanding manager with the CV that very few can rival. A good quality of staff around working with a higher quality of player.
"So, do you carry on doing the same or do you really try and challenge yourself? Hopefully, I’ve made the right decision, I’ll let you know in a year’s time.
"I did [want to challenge myself] and I don’t want to sound too corny and too basic but yes, you have to keep challenging yourself. Opportunities come along and it is the old sliding doors moment: what do you do? I’ve made this call and I’m delighted to have that opportunity, it is a privilege to work in football."
West Ham will be competing in Europe this season but need to get through a two-legged play-off next month in order to reach the group stages of the Europa Conference League.
But for Warburton, the primary attraction was not about chasing success, it was about getting to work with West Ham boss Moyes, whose previous clubs include Manchester United, Everton and Real Sociedad.
"It’s about working with a manager with that track record, that CV, that experience," added Warburton. "Working with good quality staff, good quality players and it’s taking yourself out of your comfort zone.
"Hopefully, I am saying this in a very humble way, but you know it’s too easy to keep on doing what you know you can, and it’s to challenge yourself. That is important. These opportunities don’t come along all the time, so when they do come along along, it’s a big call. For me, I hope very much I’ve made the right decision."
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