Co-owner David Gold has sent a parting message to Stuart Pearce after the coach’s decision to leave West Ham United this week.
West Ham confirmed that Pearce had made the decision to step down from his role as first team coach under David Moyes.
The 60-year-old leaves the Hammers after two years on Moyes’s coaching staff.
During that time he has played a key role alongside Billy McKinlay, Kevin Nolan, Paul Nevin and Xavi Valero as the Hammers enjoyed sixth and seventh place finishes in the Premier League and secured European qualification in both seasons.
No official reason has been given as yet for Pearce’s decision. But the former Hammer of the Year did state he felt the time was right to leave West Ham in pursuit of ‘other opportunities and challenges’.
“It is with a heavy heart that I have made this decision to leave West Ham United,” Pearce told the club’s official website.
“It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work at the club over the past two years, but I have decided that now is the right time to step away and pursue other opportunities and challenges.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank David Moyes, David Sullivan, David Gold and Karren Brady for giving me the opportunity to return to West Ham.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time here – the football club is united at all levels and that is very pleasing to see.
“It has been fantastic to work with the players and staff every day at Rush Green, a very special environment that I will miss greatly. I wish everyone at the club all the very best for the future and will always have a special place in my heart for West Ham United.”
Pearce is widely considered to be a fine coach. So his departure leaves a big hole at West Ham, particularly after Alan Irvine stepped down as Moyes’s assistant the season before for family reasons.
Co-owner David Gold sends parting message to Stuart Pearce after coach’s decision to leave West Ham
Now co-owner David Gold has sent a parting message to Pearce after the coach’s decision to leave West Ham this week.
“Good luck Stuart,” Gold said on Twitter in response to West Ham’s official announcement regarding Pearce’s departure.
“Wishing you well in your future endeavours. dg.”
Pearce and West Ham’s owners have not always been on the best of terms.
When Moyes first returned to West Ham in January 2020, Pearce revealed on talkSPORT the owners had blocked the Scot from bringing him back – having previously assisted the manager in his first spell at the London Stadium.
It seems that is all water under the bridge, though, as the owners eventually relented and Gold is now wishing Pearce well following his departure.