West Brom announce Marcos Abad as goalkeeper coach following backroom reshuffle
West Brom have announced Macros Abad as their new goalkeeping coach following the departure of Gary Walsh.
The club announced (18 July) Abad’s appointment after his six-year spell at freshly relegated side Leeds United and links back up with Carlos Corberan after the Baggies manager’s spell as Leeds’ under-23 manager.
Walsh, who joined West Brom in 2019 after spells at Hull City and Aston Villa, worked alongside Corberan, who praised his hard work and their strong relationship upon Abad’s announcement.
Backroom changes
West Brom will be keen on promotion back to the Premier League this season and will aim for a playoff space at least come May.
While the number of goals the Baggies conceded last season was not terrible, they will aim to decrease it from the 53 they shipped if they have any hope of getting into the playoffs, and Abad’s influence may be key.
His previous relationship with Corberan may make a big difference, with the Spaniard praising his skills upon his appointment. He said: “I know he shares my passion and enthusiasm for coaching and I know that will help us with our goalkeepers, as well as some other responsibilities that he will take on with my staff.
“This is an opportunity for Marcos and I to work together again, which I’m pleased about, as I know Marcos has the knowledge, experience and dedication to help us, specifically with our goalkeepers” [West Brom].
Abad, 37, oversaw the development of Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier who has since become the club’s starting shot-stopper and a France youth regular, so he has a track record of developing top talent.
West Brom will be keen to utilise his abilities to develop their young goalkeepers, including the 21-year-old prospect Josh Griffiths who spent last season on loan to Portsmouth while earning an England under-21 cap.
A solid defence is required to earn promotion from the Championship, and Abed will hope he can impose a positive change amongst the club’s goalkeepers to sure up their defence.
In other West Brom news, a Sky Sports pundit has reacted to Rico Richards’ decision to depart the Baggies to join local Premier League rivals.