West Ham captain Mark Noble exploring non-playing roles at the club
West Ham captain Mark Noble is already exploring non-playing roles at the club – but Hammers manager David Moyes insists he has a ‘massive part’ to play on the pitch this season
- Noble is being groomed for a behind-the-scenes role at the London Stadium
- But he is likely to play a part as fixtures pile up due to their return to Europe
- And Moyes is ready to count on the veteran midfielder’s nous this campaign
Mark Noble is already being groomed for a behind-the-scenes role at West Ham — but David Moyes says his captain will be a vital player in the coming months as the Hammers return to Europe.
Noble completed 90 minutes only four times last season and was considering retirement before renewing his contract last March in order to play one more season in front of a full London Stadium.
And as the former Olympic Stadium reopens its doors fully for supporters against Leicester on Monday night, manager Moyes says the 34-year-old’s experience will be vital with the Hammers’ squad set to be stretched by their Europa League participation from next month.
David Moyes admitted West Ham need the nous of club captain Mark Noble (pictured centre)
The 34-year-old only played 90 minutes four times last season and considered retirement
Having been at the club since childhood, and 17 years since his debut, it has been mooted that Noble will take a coaching role, but Moyes said: ‘I think Mark has other ideas, maybe a role as a sporting or technical director rather than on the footballing side.
‘We’re already starting to use him in other roles behind the scenes, but he’s going to have a massive part to play in the period leading up to Christmas particularly, where we will need lots of players for the extra games.’
The Hammers will learn their Europa League opponents next week with matches starting in mid-September and Moyes said he will need Noble’s nous.
‘I hope that Mark will be in good condition, fit and ready to play in some of the games. We can use him because he has great experience to come on and help us.
‘So he’s far from ruled out of playing more. We’re not talking about putting him out to grass yet, but we are preparing for life after first-team football.’
But Hammers boss Moyes insisted Noble still had an important role to play on and off the pitch
Having finished sixth last season and qualified for Europe, West Ham are on the up and Moyes says the atmosphere is completely different to when he first arrived four years ago to save them from relegation, and again when he returned at the start of last season.
‘It’s great inside the club now,’ he said. ‘We’ve got a brilliant spirit, there’s a lot of motivation.
‘We’re challenging each other to be better and I’m challenging my staff to be better in the stuff we do as well. Every day the players get driven on by Mark Noble or Declan Rice.
‘Now we are looking to get 60,000 supporters back in and we’re saying, ‘Come on, get right behind the team!’ The support we had at Newcastle last week was incredible.
‘Everybody can see there’s a great spirit among the players and within the club.’
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