Alan Irvine is set to become the new manager of Preston North End after a compensation deal was agreed with Everton. The Everton assistant manager will sign a three-and-a-half year deal at Deepdale to replace Paul Simpson, who was sacked last week.

Irvine, 49, who played for Everton between 1981 and 1984, has been deputy to David Moyes since leaving Newcastle's academy in 2002.

Derek Shaw, the Preston chairman, said: "We are very pleased that Alan will be joining us, he's ready to have a crack at management.

"He's got a reputation of being a top notch coach, his work ethic is amazing, he's worked with (Everton boss) David Moyes and I know the amount of games they take in, you see them all over the country.

"David Moyes and Alan Irvine have set high standards at Everton and I'm pretty sure that Alan will continue to maintain those high standards at Deepdale."

Irvine also served as a player for Queen's Park, Crystal Palace, Dundee United and Blackburn Rovers