West Brom's Terry Burton: Alan Irvine is 'the best coach in the UK'

Bullish Terry Burton today claimed Albion now have the best coach in the UK in Alan Irvine.

The Baggies technical director has confronted doubting fans head-on by insisting that, far from being a low-key appointment, they have snapped up the best around in the departing Everton academy coach.

"I know Alan Irvine is arguably the best coach in the UK at the moment in terms of working on a day-to-day basis with the players," said Burton.

"He can go out on the training ground and excel.

"Do I employ somebody for what I don't know or for what I do know? I'd rather go with what I do know, and that's that this guy can coach."

Burton believes Irvine will maximise the qualities of the players and justify comparisons with the best around.

"If Arsene Wenger came to West Brom what would he do day-to-day?" said Burton, who worked extensively with Wenger at Arsenal.

"The two guys would go out on a training pitch and work with the players. What makes one better than the other? Is it their enthusiasm and passion or the sessions they put on, or is it about the players they work with?

"If Arsene Wenger and Alan Irvine were working with the same group of players you could assess them as coaches.

"But players know. They'll know from the first session whether somebody can coach.

"I'll be very surprised if you can find a player who says Alan Irvine isn't a good coach and he can only work with the players he's worked with at the clubs he's been at.

"I'm totally confident this guy that was put before me is right."

Burton is convinced Irvine, a deep thinker on the game, is a man of substance.

"We can see guys waving their arms on the touchline or giving a little clap for the supporters, but it's all perception," he said.

"What does he do Monday-Friday? I know this guy will work hard to make the team better, he'll be the first in and last one out."