West Ham United have confirmed that Kevin Keen will be making his return to the club this summer as he will take up a position as Academy Under-18s Lead Coach.
Following Jack Collison’s decision to take up an opportunity overseas, the Hammers have decided to bring back a man that knows the club extremely well.
Keen made 278 appearances for us between the 80s and 90s and then spent a further nine years between 2002 and 2011 in a variety of different coaching positions, including three spells as caretaker boss in between appointments.
It is not just at West Ham were the 52-year-old has gained experience, as he has had spells at Liverpool, West Bromwich Albion, Fulham, Reading, Crystal Palace, Southend United and Colchester United (per the club’s official website).
Keen will be looking to work his magic with the youngsters he was once able to do in his previous time with the club – helping to bring the likes of Collison and Mark Noble through the ranks and into the first-team.
His appointment is an excellent decision by West Ham as not many will know the club as well as he does – despite having spent eight years away from Chadwell Heath – and he should be in a good position to carry on the good work that his predecessor leaves him with.
And, it seems fans on Twitter are behind the decision to bring him back to east London as well. Many of them took to Twitter to share their positive reaction to the news, with many of them sharing glowing opinions of him.
One fan said Keen was an ‘amazing coach’, whilst another supporter said he was ‘absolute class’. Here are some of their reactions…
He’s a amazing coach
— ⚒ Leon ⚒ (@djleon1983) June 13, 2019
Absolute class coach and what a player he was ! Welcome back !
— Paolo (@ellingford_paul) June 13, 2019
Brilliant appointment.
— Dan (@WestHamLad) June 13, 2019
Great appointment…best of luck Kevin!
— Paul ⚒️ (@72Sawry) June 13, 2019
Didn’t see this one coming. Great news to have Kevin keen back at the club
— mark speller (@supersonic_mark) June 13, 2019
Very good news
— soo swee seng (@soosweeseng0706) June 13, 2019
superb news
— Bienvenue Kikwit RIP GRUMPY CAT (@BeatTheBatak) June 13, 2019