Kevin Nolan is relishing the opportunity to work under David Moyes and with a talented squad of players after returning to West Ham United.
The former Irons midfielder and captain was appointed as a first-team coach last Thursday, before joining Moyes and his new colleagues and players in preparation for the aborted Premier League fixture at Manchester City, which was postponed on Sunday due to Storm Ciara.
While there was ultimately no match to play, Nolan was delighted to be back in football at a Club he knows so well after skippering the Hammers to promotion in 2012 and making more than 150 appearances across four-plus seasons between 2011 and 2015.
With the Premier League holding its first-ever winter break, the squad will have a few days off to refresh and spend time with their families, but the coaching staff will join manager Moyes to plan for the final 13 matches of the campaign.
The fact that it’s at West Ham is even better and I’m just really looking forward to getting stuck into it all!
Kevin Nolan
“It’s just being with the Gaffer, supporting him and doing everything he needs," Nolan explained, when asked what his new role will entail. "It’s throwing out opinions, as he likes you to have your own opinion and see if he can use it to make things better.
“I’m just really looking forward to learning from him too. He’s a top fella, I’ve met him a few times outside of football at dinners and events, so to be able to work with him on a 24/7 basis and have him at your beck-and-call, no disrespect, is such an honour.
“The fact that it’s at West Ham is even better and I’m just really looking forward to getting stuck into it all!"
Since departing the Hammers in August 2015, Nolan has taken his coaching qualifications and enjoyed successful spells as manager at Leyton Orient and Notts County, leading the latter to the EFL League Two Play-Offs in 2017/18.
Now, he hopes to bring the experience he gained in those roles, and during a successful playing career with Bolton Wanderers, Newcastle United and West Ham, back to east London to help his old team get out of trouble.
“It was a fantastic gaining managerial experience, but there’s nothing like being back in the Premier League," he told West Ham TV. "The Premier League is where I spent most of my playing career.
“I thought I was successful and did really well as a manager, but that’s behind me now. I learned a few bits, but I’m hoping in years to come I can use this experience, and gain lots more from such a successful manager as David, who has done really well in the Premier League, and go on to be my own man and use the bits I think he’s really good at for the future.
“Listen, that’s a long way away and I’m just looking forward to the next 14, 15 weeks that’s left of the season."
