West Brom appoint two new coaches as club bolster youth ranks with Leigh Downing and Clay Thompson
West Brom have bolstered their youth set-up by appointing two new Professional Development Phase coaches; Leigh Downing and Clay Thompson.
Downing will manage the Baggies U18s side and play a pivotal role in overseeing the development of players aged between 16 and 18.
Thompson announced via his Twitter page that he will be taking on the Professional Development Phase coaching role; it’s still unclear what age group this will be at.
Speaking to West Brom’s official website, Downing announced his excitement at taking on the new role, having spent 13 years at the club.
“I’m delighted to get this role and am looking forward to working with this group of players,” said Downing.
“Since I got released here as a scholar, I was brought into the coaching setup and started as the Assistant Foundation Phase Coach, then went onto be Lead Foundation Coach, Assistant Youth Development Phase Coach, Lead YDP Coach and Assistant PDP Coach.
“So I’ve done every coaching role up until Lead U18s which I am now and it’s worked out quite well.”
Academy Manager Richard Stevens added: “Leigh has great experience as a coach at this football club. He’s worked with different age groups, assisted Peter Gilbert over the last three years and has earned the right to take the lead role.
“He will be really good for the players; he is a meticulous coach, has a good eye for the game and he’ll only benefit the programme for our youngsters. We’re delighted to have him in this role.”
Talented bunch.
The Baggies youth system has produced some gems in its time; Saido Berahino, Tyler Roberts and Chris Wood are just some of the names who have made the leap to professional life with ease.
The new duo will undoubtedly come across a hot prospect in the Baggies ranks; 18-year-old left-back Josh Shaw.
Shaw has scored twice and assisted once in 25 games in the U18 Premier League and was rewarded with a step up to the Premier League 2.
This is a testament to the quality of coaching in the youth ranks at the Hawthorns; if you’re good enough, you will be given a chance to rise through the ranks quickly.
Hopefully, more starlets will be given the chance to impress Steve Bruce for some first-team action, there will be plenty of opportunities to do so this season.
They may even be able to change the Baggies fortunes, some of the senior talents certainly need a reality check as of late.
In other West Brom news, Albion are struggling to sell tickets for a match this weekend with fewer than 10,000 sold.