Academy role is third Everton job for Alan Irvine

Former Everton assistant manager Alan Irvine has returned for a third spell with the club as head of the academy.

The Scot, left Goodison Park in 2007 to take over as manager of Preston and then moved on to Sheffield Wednesday before his sacking in February.

Irvine, 53, a winger with Everton in the 1980s, succeeds Ray Hall, who has retired from the position but will continue to work for the club as an international ambassador.

Everton manager David Moyes, who brought in Irvine as his assistant in 2002, said: "I am delighted that someone of the calibre of Alan Irvine has agreed to rejoin the club. Once we knew Alan was available it made sense to bring him in as soon as possible and make the change quicker than expected.

"Ray has done a terrific job during his time with the Academy and we are delighted that he has agreed to play an active part in the handover and that he will remain an important part of the set-up for a further three years."

Meanwhile, Stoke have agreed a fee with West Ham for striker Carlton Cole. The 27-year-old England international is currently in Switzerland with the Hammers squad for a pre-season training camp but is set to hold talks with Stoke boss Tony Pulis on his return.

Potters chairman Peter Coates said: "We have agreed terms with West Ham, that's done. Now it's a case of: Can we agree terms with Carlton?"

Cole joined West Ham from Chelsea in July 2006 and has scored 42 goals in 165 appearances. But he found the net just five times in the Barclays Premier League last season and is now poised to move on in the wake of the Hammers' relegation.

The fee is believed to be an initial 4million with a possible 2million add-ons.