Journalist and West Ham United fan Sam Delaney says that it’s imperative that Mark Noble is given a role at the club once his playing days are over.
The 33-year-old and club captain Noble announced yesterday in an open letter to the fans that whilst he was extending his contract until the summer of 2022, that he will be leaving the club at the end of that season, bringing an end to his long association with his boyhood club.
And as heard on the BBC 5 Live Football Daily podcast, Delaney felt that he needs to be kept on after he retires, in a move that would suit a number of parties at the club.
He said: “I think every West Ham fan will feel very strongly about him staying at the club in a senior capacity – not a ceremonial capacity. Maybe not first-team manager immediately, but certainly in a pretty senior capacity.
“And if the owners of the club really want to build bridges with the fans, one of the quickest and simplest ways of doing that would be to put Mark Noble in a very senior position within the club after he retires from playing – because here’s a guy who has a complete understanding of the club and of the fans and what makes everyone tick there.”
Is Mark Noble an important player for West Ham at the moment?
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TIF Thoughts on Sam Delaney’s comments about Mark Noble and West Ham United…
It’s no secret that the relationship between the fans and the owners at the club has been somewhat strained over the years, and whilst Delaney might not necessarily speak for all fans, you can arguably see the connection that he has made and the logic behind it.
However, this does come across as something of an emotional idea rather than necessarily a footballing one, and whilst it might help ease the tension between the supporters and the board, is it going to be something that can take the club further?
That is perhaps what the discussion needs to be around Noble and his future, rather than trying to pander to the fans just to keep them off the owners’ backs.