Irvine earns Moyes praise
21 Nov 2007 - 12:59:41
Everton boss David Moyes has revealed Alan Irvine left Goodison Park to become the new manager of Preston North End with his blessing.
Irvine left Merseyside earlier in the week after spending five years as Moyes' assistant to take the reins at the Championship club,
And although Moyes admitted he didn't want his number two to leave Goodison Park, he understood Irvine's decision to take his first full managerial role.
Moyes himself previously managed the Deepdale club prior to joining Everton in 2002.
"He did a very good job for us and the opportunity to go to Preston was one that I wouldn't want to deny him," he told the club's official website.
"He knows I didn't want him to go, but we couldn't stand in his way.
"I would like to thank Alan for all the hard work he has done here and for all the help he has given me during the last five years."
Irvine himself added: "David was very good, he involved me in everything and he wanted to know my opinion on everything, but at the end of the day he made the decisions.
"Now the buck stops with me and if things aren't right people will be pointing the finger at me and not someone else."