By Alan Hutton

25th May, 2023 | 12:32pm

Mark Noble backed for new West Ham role after source's quit reveal - pundit

Alan Hutton has backed Mark Noble to take on a more “hands-on” role at West Ham.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Tottenham and Aston Villa defender suggested Noble would be best placed involved with the club’s transfers.

On 21 May, sources told this site that the 36-year-old is set to quit his role as the Hammers’ sporting director this summer.

The former Irons player was given the role in January 2023 following his retirement last summer as he was eager to get back involved with his former club in some capacity.

But this site has learned that the director’s role behind-the-scenes did not suit Noble’s skill set and he is now expected to step back at the end of the season.

When asked if the Irons may be regretting the former captain’s appointment, Hutton told Football Insider: “Only the people inside the club will know.

“We do not know what he is like in the role. He has not got the experience obviously so you are kind of learning as you go along.

“I think ideally in those situations you would be alongside someone with experience so you can learn from them, pick up little bits of knowledge to move forward and ultimately take over on your own.

“I get what he means when he wants a more hands on role, maybe something more to do with the playing squad or transfers because he will have a keen eye for talent.

“He has had an opportunity and maybe he thinks he would just fit in better somewhere else.“

In other news, Tottenham and West Ham race to complete marquee deal.