'I wouldn't be back if I didn't believe in the strategy of the club': Stuart Pearce returns to West Ham as part of David Moyes' backroom staff after being blocked from making a return under manager in January

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Stuart Pearce is returning to West Ham as part of David Moyes' backroom staff.

The 58-year old former England international left back was blocked from making a return under Moyes in January but West Ham's owners are now willing to give their manager more support as they plan for the new season.

Pearce, who has been appointed as a first-team coach, said: 'I'm delighted to be back. I wouldn't be back if I didn't believe in the strategy the club, board and the manager have put in place to take this great football club forward. I can't wait to get started again.'

Stuart Pearce has returned to West Ham as a first-team coach working with David Moyes

Alan Irvine (left), Pearce and Moyes in attendance at West Ham training on Monday

Moyes added: 'I'm really pleased to welcome Stuart back to West Ham United. He did a fantastic job for me in our first spell at the Club together. He will help us get the very best out of the players and he will be a great asset to us on the training pitch and dressing room.'

He will work alongside Alan Irvine, with Kevin Nolan and Paul Nevin both remaining part of the setup. 

Pearce previously worked with Moyes at West Ham during the 2017-18 season. 

Speaking about being prevented from returning in January, Pearce explained that the decision was due to him being critical about West Ham when he left in 2018. 

Pearce told talkSPORT: 'No, it won't happen. I think the owners felt I was a little bit critical of the regime when we left last time and put the block on it. 

'I didn't think [I was too outspoken], but listen - they make the decisions, they own the club, I respect that. I also respect the fact that they're prepared to pick the phone up to David having turned round after a seven-month tenure deciding not to keep him on.

'They were humble enough to pick the phone up and say, "look, will you come back in?" I'm just delighted to see David back in work, and in the Premier League where I think his talents deserve.'

Pearce was blocked from returning in January after questioning the decision to sack Moyes in 2018

Pearce had openly questioned the decision of owners David Gold and David Sullivan to let Moyes go in 2018.

In June that year he said: 'They've decided not to go down the David [Moyes] route. I was a little surprised by that as I saw first-hand what a good job he did in a situation that could have gone either way.' 

He played for West Ham between 1999 and 2001, making 50 appearances.

After starting out as a manager at Manchester City, Pearce took charge of the England Under-21 side in 2007 and reached the final of the 2009 Under-21 European Championship.

He also managed the Great Britain team at London 2012 before having a spell in charge of Nottingham Forest during the 2014-15 season.

West Ham finished in 16th place in the Premier League last season.