Alan Irvine joined Preston North End on November 20, 2007 with a reputation as one of the most outstanding coaches in English football.

The 49-year-old Scot has an exceptional background in the game, one which lured Chairman Derek Shaw into making an approach to Everton for his services.

It was an offer that the former winger couldn't refuse, citing the opportunity to come and manage a team like Preston North End as a something "he had to do" before he finished in football.

Born in Glasgow on July 12, 1958, Alan started his playing days with Queens Park, making 88 appearances in a four year spell from 1977 to 1981.

Alan moved to Everton with the reputation as a talented promising winger. He played 60 games for the Toffees, scoring four goals before Crystal Palace snapped him up in 1984.

His spell at Selhurst Park was his most successful in his playing career on both sides of the border. He pulled on the blue and red striped shirt over 100 times for the South London club before moving back up to Scotland when Dundee United made an offer in 1987.

It was to be only a short spell of 24 matches for Alan with injury curtailing his spell with the Terrors, as his final move beckoned in 1989 when Blackburn came calling.

Irvine began his coaching career at Ewood Park once his playing days ended with the Lancashire Club in 1992, before later becoming their academy director, a position he went on to assume at Newcastle United.

In his time in the North East, Alan worked under some of the most respected managers in the game in Kenny Dalglish, Ruud Gullit and Sir Bobby Robson. On his appointment as Preston boss, he made reference to his days at St. James Park, stating that his apprenticeship had given him a "very thorough grounding."

Newcastle legend Peter Beardsley has previously gone on record to commend his services with the Magpies, speaking highly of him in a past interview. Beardsley enthused: "He is a people's man but mostly he is a sensational coach. At the Newcastle Academy he was magnificent, the kids idolised him and didn't want him to leave."

However, when David Moyes moved from Preston to Everton as manager, he headhunted his Scottish compatriot to become his right-hand man on Merseyside.

Moyes identified his skills and dedication, believing he was the perfect man to assist him in taking Everton forward into a new era.

It was a partnership that blossomed as the Toffees resurged to compete at the right end of the Premiership, the highlight a top-four finish in 2005.

Alan worked with the former Lilywhites gaffer for five and a half seasons at Goodison Park, until PNE Chairman Derek Shaw made the all-important enquiry.

His ability to rise to a challenge was emphasised by the fact he gave up what he described as a "fantastic job" to move to Preston in a season where Everton were flying high in the Premiership and progressing well in the UEFA Cup.

Northenders are looking forward to a long and successful era with Alan Irvine in command, as in his own words, he sets out his ultimate goal to be "the manager who can take Preston into the Premiership".