Former Everton boss Howard Kendall has backed the appointment of Steve Round as Dave Moyes' new assistant manager.
The legendary Blues boss also pointed out that credit should go to Andy Holden, who took over many of Irvine's duties when the Scot left Goodison to take over as manager of Preston.
"I feel a bit sorry for Andy, who has worked with David since Alan left. He looked to me like he had done a tremendous job but he didn't get the post," added Kendall.
"But it's a big compliment to Andy that the manager didn't just go out immediately when Alan left and make a rash decision. David knew he had a quality, loyal man on the staff who he could rely on."
The new appointment had Kendall recalling his own managerial stints alongside assistant Colin Harvey.
"Colin was very enthusiastic and very meticulous," he said.
"He would spend hours long before modern technology came along watching videos, stopping and starting bits of footage and analysing what had gone on. He would then show the players on a Monday morning what they had done wrong.
"Colin and I were very different characters, but we both enjoyed going out and working with players on the training ground rather than standing on the sidelines."
