Irvine stunned the Baggies by pledging his future to Preston and former Chelsea man Roberto Di Matteo will take charge at The Hawthorns instead.

Irvine said: "A lot of people maybe thought it was an automatic decision for me to join West Bromwich when they spoke to me, but it wasn't an automatic decision for me.

"I made my decision on a number of factors, and I admit it was a hard decision to make because I had so many things to consider and think about.

"West Bromwich are a richer club than Preston with more resources, and bigger gates, that's a fact of life.

"They have just come out of the Premier League too, so it is a big job for somebody and I was keen to hear what they had to say.

"I wasn't looking to move from Preston – they approached me."

Irvine added: "In the final analysis, though, I just felt it was right for me to be here next season.

"This job is a fantastic challenge and if I thought there was no chance of progressing the club further then that might have pushed me to move. But I see a bright future at Preston."

WBA made an official approach for Irvine at the weekend and Baggies chairman Jeremy Peace thought he had got his man following Tony Mowbray's switch to Celtic.

But he had not counted on Irvine's remarkable show of loyalty.

"Perhaps some people will be surprised by my decision but I hope that the majority of Preston's supporters will be glad that I'm staying," added Irvine.

"I've got a fantastic job and I wouldn't have come to the decision I've come to if I didn't think that I could move the club on.

"I had a long apprenticeship, 15 years as a coach, but Preston gave me my first job in management and that meant a lot to me.

"I think I owe Preston and I'm delighted to be staying."

North End were languishing one spot above the Championship relegation zone when Irvine took charge in November, 2007.

But the decision to replace Paul Simpson with David Moyes' former assistant was quickly vindicated as Irvine steered the club to safety.

Last season he guided PNE to the play-offs, and chairman Derek Shaw said: "It was a deeply worrying few days, I was desperate to keep Alan at Deepdale.

"I am led to believe he was offered the job by West Bromwich Albion, but it is exceptional news for Preston that he is not going because he has set exceptionally high standards.

"I think all the speculation ruined Alan's holiday but I can't say how happy I am he is here taking pre-season training this morning. I know that Alan Irvine is not motivated by money, he is a football man.

"Like a lot of clubs in this division, finances are tight but I'll keep striving and supporting Alan, and hopefully we can go one better than last season and achieve promotion."

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