Norwich City add Alan Irvine to coaching set-up

Alan Irvine has been named as new first-team coach at Norwich City.

The former West Brom manager left Blackburn Rovers at the end of last season after a stint as assistant coach to Paul Lambert.

The 57-year-old joins the Championship club as they aim to get straight back into the Premier League after relegation last season and Irvine insisted promotion was the primary goal. 

"The most important thing is that I come in and make a contribution, and that's what I'm looking to do," Irvine told the club website.

"I believe the squad and management team that's here has every chance of getting promotion. I've worked with quite a few of the players in the past and I'm really looking forward to doing that again. 

"Up until recently I was working with Paul Lambert, and he always spoke very highly of the club. Everyone from a distance has been really positive about the place and he really reinforced that."

Norwich will kick off their league campaign with an away trip to Irvine's former club Blackburn on August 6.

With Irvine having previously had spells in charge of Preston and Sheffield Wednesday and been part of the coaching set-ups at Newcastle and Everton, Norwich boss Alex Neil was delighted to welcome a man with such a wealth of experience.

"It adds to us as a coaching team because he's had real success at clubs," said Neill.

"In terms of what we've got we're now more diverse. He's got a great reputation but also has the willingness and drive to be here, which is great."