Irvine took charge of Preston in November 2007

Preston manager Alan Irvine has rejected an approach from West Brom and will remain at Deepdale.

Irvine had been targeted by the Baggies following Tony Mowbray's decision to leave The Hawthorns and join Celtic.

"I did speak to West Brom over the weekend," Irvine told BBC Radio Lancashire. "But I decided I wanted to stay at Preston.

"It was important I heard what West Brom had to say but I feel it's right for me to be here."

Irvine, 50, has enjoyed a productive time since becoming Preston manager in November 2007.

After guiding North End to safety during his first season at Deepdale, the Glasgow-born manager turned the club's fortunes around, only narrowly missing out in the play-off semi-finals against Sheffield United last season.

I think we've made progress and I hope that'll continue Alan Irvine

"I wasn't looking to move away from Preston," said Irvine. "The club were approached first of all and then they approached me.

"With Preston's blessing I was able to have a chat with them, but I just felt the right thing was to stay.

"There are a number of reasons but I don't really want to go into all of them and I enjoy my job here. I think we've made progress and I hope that'll continue."

Preston chairman Derek Shaw expressed his relief that Irvine has decided to remained at Deepdale.

"It's exceptional news for myself, the board and the fans of Preston.

"I was worried because on Wednesday morning we have around 30 professional footballers reporting back to work.

"But we haven't got a big staff and I don't know who we'd have been left with."

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