West Ham United is pleased to confirm the appointments of John Heitinga, Mark Robson and Henry Newman as first-team assistants to David Moyes.
Heitinga, Robson and Newman join Billy McKinlay, Kevin Nolan and goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero to complete the manager’s coaching staff for the 2023/24 campaign.
Former Netherlands international Heitinga, who most recently held the role of interim head coach at Eredivisie side Ajax, reunites with Moyes, 14 years joining him as a player at Everton.
Robson steps up from his position as Academy U21s lead coach – a role he had held since joining the Club from Peterborough United in November 2021, while Newman moves from his opposition analysis position, having been with the Hammers for almost four years.
Manager Moyes said: “I would like to welcome John to West Ham United and also welcome Mark and Henry into the first-team group.
“John is someone I have known for a long time. He has gained some very good experience since beginning his coaching career in the Ajax Academy and working his way up to their first-team. Mark and Henry are both already familiar to everyone here at the Club and have deserved the opportunity to step up within our structure.
“John, Mark and Henry will each bring experience in different areas and complement the strengths we already have in the coaching team alongside Billy, Kevin and Xavi. I look forward to working with them and building on the positive start we have made to the new season.”
Heitinga returns to English football after spending five years in the Premier League between 2009 and 2014, during which time he made 140 appearances for Everton, followed by a short spell with Fulham. Having began his career with Ajax, the central defender was named Dutch Footballer of the Year in 2008 and then enjoyed one season in Spain with Atletico Madrid, before moving to Goodison Park, where he quickly established himself as a versatile and popular figure.
Capped 87 times by the Netherlands, Heitinga played in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final against Spain – becoming the first Everton player to appear in a World Cup final since Alan Ball for England in 1966. He won the Blues' Player of the Season award in 2011/12, before spending six months at Fulham at the end of the 2013/14 campaign and then a short spell with Hertha Berlin in Germany.
After ending his playing days back in Amsterdam with Ajax in 2016, he remained at the club to begin his coaching career with their famed Academy, leading the Under-19 side for four years, before then stepping up to coach Jong Ajax, their reserve team. In January 2023, UEFA Pro Licence holder Heitinga stepped into the role of interim head coach following the departure of Alfred Schreuder and helped turn around the club’s season, winning eleven of their final 16 matches.
Robson needs little introduction to Hammers fans. Born in Upton Park and raised in the East End, he made 56 appearances across two seasons as a player with the Hammers. In the 1992/93 campaign, the skilful winger played 44 of a possible 46 league games in Claret and Blue, scoring eight goals as West Ham won promotion to the Premier League a year after its formation.
Also a UEFA Pro Licence holder, he previously spent over four years at the Football Association as a national specialist coach, working closely with the best young English players to progress through the national team pathway into Gareth Southgate’s senior squad.
In addition to his time at the Football Association, the 54-year-old has enjoyed first-team coaching roles at Aston Villa, Norwich City, Barnet, Peterborough, Gillingham and Charlton Athletic, as well as serving as U21s head coach at both Norwich and Charlton, before returning to the Hammers almost two years ago.
Newman has been at West Ham United since January 2020, working as part of David Moyes’s backroom staff on opposition analysis and match preparation. A UEFA A Licence coach, he was previously interim head coach at Barnet in 2016/17, having enjoyed a successful coaching career at Academy level with Charlton and Brentford.
Everyone at West Ham United would like to welcome John to the Club and wish him, Mark and Henry every success in their new roles.
