West Ham draw up brilliant scheme to copy Liverpool success with one senior man needing ‘help’

West Ham United have come up with a daring plan to copy the success Liverpool have had by appointing one of their former transfer chiefs to help Mark Noble, according to a report.

Noble is a legend at West Ham, having made 550 appearances during a 17-year spell in their senior squad. The midfielder previously spent time in the West Ham academy and only ever played for the East London side, barring short loan spells at Hull City and Ipswich Town.

Noble hung up his boots at the end of last season, handing the captaincy over to fellow midfielder Declan Rice.

In September last year, West Ham announced that Noble would return to the London Stadium in January to take up the role of sporting director.

The Englishman has been tasked with supporting manager David Moyes and the board of directors. He is focused on all aspects of the football operation, including academy development, player recruitment and player and staff wellbeing.

The Guardian have now provided an update on what changes West Ham fans can expect at the club in the near future. They reveal that Noble has ‘impressed’ in his new role so far.

West Ham eye director of football appointment

However, it is acknowledged that he needs ‘help’, in particular through more support and expertise being given.

West Ham also want to address their poor record in the transfer market. Moyes was largely in charge of transfers last summer, alongside head of recruitment Rob Newman.

The Irons brought in expensive players such as Nayef Aguerd, Lucas Paqueta, Gianluca Scamacca and Maxwel Cornet. Scamacca and Cornet have both been disappointing, with Aguerd and Paqueta the only players who look like they will have a big impact on the team going forward.

To solve these disappointments in the transfer market, as well as the lack of experience around Noble, The Guardian write that West Ham will soon appoint a new director of football.

And one of the candidates they are considering is former Liverpool chief Michael Edwards. He has been on a break since leaving Anfield at the end of the last season.

It comes as little surprise that West Ham would like to bring Edwards in. He did a fantastic job at Liverpool, helping them to sign top players such as Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, Mo Salah and Fabinho.

Edwards also managed to get decent money in for Rhian Brewster, Dominic Solanke and Danny Ward, despite none of the trio playing regularly at Liverpool.

West Ham appointing Edwards could result in them copying Liverpool’s success by moving up the Premier League table thanks to some excellent transfers.

However, Edwards has established himself as one of the most sought-after directors of football following his time at Liverpool. Due to this, it may be hard for West Ham to convince him on a move.

Irons have alternatives in case of Michael Edwards rejection

West Ham are also interested in Paul Mitchell of Monaco, Brentford’s Lee Dykes and Atalanta head of recruitment Lee Congerton.

The potential capture of a new director of football could have serious implications for the current system at West Ham. Newman may be allowed to leave, which would in turn anger Moyes as the pair are close.

Signing a new director of football would also weaken Moyes’ power when it comes to transfers. It remains to be seen whether he would be willing to agree to this.

The report also explains how West Ham have yet to decide whether the Scot is right manager for them going forward. Moyes has credit in the bank following two great seasons where the Irons qualified for European competition. They have also made it through to this season’s Europa Conference League semi-finals.

But the team’s poor form in the Premier League, and the relegation scrap that has caused, has led to serious concern among the West Ham board. They feel a new manager may be able to take the club back into the top seven, hence the uncertainty around Moyes.

Meanwhile, there have been suggestions Arsenal could include a huge talent in a player-plus-cash deal for Declan Rice.