Mark Noble is in talks with West Ham over a post-playing career role at the club with the legendary captain set to end his playing career in May.
Noble renewed his Hammers contract a year ago but decided at the time that it would be his last as a player with the club he has spent his entire career. The central midfielder made the decision to retire now because he wanted to go out on his own terms and not because others thought he was past it.
"I have always said I want to go out when it is my decision, I don't want to be told by an agent or a club 'you are done, your legs have gone," Noble recently told Vibe with Five.
At the time of announcing his decision to end his playing career Noble was already looking towards a future involvement behind the scenes at West Ham.
"Hopefully in the future, I see myself being in the background at West Ham, making decisions and helping the manager and having a role that sort of way," he said.
David Moyes is keen to keep Noble involved at the club in a non-playing capacity and in August the manager suggested this would not be as a coach: "I think Mark has other ideas," Moyes said.
"Maybe a role as a sporting director or a technical director rather than on the footballing side. We're already starting to use Mark in other roles behind the scenes."
Having spent 18 season's on the playing staff after progressing through the academy there are few who know West Ham as well as Noble, and the club are hoping to continue their relationship with the captain.
Noble has made more than 500 appearances for the Hammers and despite a peripheral playing role this season the captain has still been a useful squad member for Moyes this campaign.
The midfielder has scored twice in 13 matches this season, including four starts in Europe, and stepped into the Premier League team when Declan Rice was suspended in December. His final appearance in front of his beloved West Ham fans could home in the Hammers last home league game of the season a tricky encounter with reigning champions Manchester City on May 15.
