West Ham United captain Mark Noble could retire at the end of the club’s 125th anniversary season.
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Speculation has emerged online that next season will be Noble’s last as a player for West Ham.
The talk is that the midfielder, who turns 34 next season, has been building up a property portfolio with one eye on life beyond football.
Noble will undoubtedly end his Hammers career as a legend.
But the influential star has been on the wane for some time from a playing perspective.
Mr West Ham set to retire at the end of 125th anniversary season?
West Ham fans have been calling for the club to sign more powerful and athletic players in central midfield to replace Noble for some time.
And Noble himself even spoke out candidly earlier this season saying West Ham cannot continue to rely on him doing the business week in, week out telling owners David Sullivan and David Gold they must sign younger players (talkSPORT).
Noble’s performances were particularly sluggish in two lethargic defeats to Wolves and Tottenham since the restart.
So when West Ham put in one of their best performances of the season to beat Chelsea 3-2 in his absence last time out, it put Noble’s future in further doubt.
Particularly as his natural successor for the captaincy, Declan Rice, led the team so well.
When West Ham fans want answers they invariably turn to reliable insider ExWHUemployee.
Insider confirms Noble is considering retirement but has no concrete plans
And the anonymous Twitter and podcast personality has confirmed Noble could well call it a day at the end of next season.
But Ex added the caveat that Noble has no definitive plans decided.
“It (his growing success in the property sector) has (a bearing on his decision to retire), he doesn’t need to play football because he has been so successful,” ExWHUemployee said on Twitter.
“No that’s not quite what I meant (that he has continued playing for the money).
“You are right he would be minted anyway but he is very successful and will have more money than most. He hasn’t made any concrete plans but there was talk next year will be his last.”
It has, he doesn’t need to play football because he has been so successful
— ExWHUemployee (@ExWHUemployee) July 3, 2020
No that’s not quite what I meant. You are right he would be minted anyway but he is very successful and will have more money than most. He hasn’t made any concrete plans but there was talk next year will be his last
— ExWHUemployee (@ExWHUemployee) July 3, 2020
ExWHUemployee also touched on Noble’s future in his latest West Ham Way podcast.
Noble hinted at Director of Football role
One thing is for certain West Ham must ensure Noble remains involved in the club in some capacity after his retirement.
Noble had previously suggested he would like to manage West Ham one day in the future.
But speaking to Jamie and Harry Redknapp on Sky One show Redknapp’s Home Fixture during lockdown, Noble for the first time cast doubt on following that path.
He said he would prefer a director of football role instead.
“Because in management in three or four games you can go from being Mark Noble who’s played for West Ham for years, and all of a sudden everyone wants you to get the sack,” he told Redknapp’s Home Fixture.