West Brom have been tipped to complete the arrival of Belgium coach Graeme Jones to join Darren Moore in the dugout as the manager’s assistant, according to journalist Alan Nixon.
The Sun reporter claims on his personal Twitter account that there is a “strong” probability that the international coach, who is currently working under long-time compatriot and former Everton manager Roberto Martinez, will make the move to the Hawthorns, having played alongside Moore during their careers on the pitch.
The Express and Star report that negotiations are ongoing between the two parties and that Moore is a fan of Jones as he is an attacking coach, with the West Brom boss primarily focused on defending after his playing career at the back.
Opinion
Moore and West Brom would be pulling off something of a coup were they to prise Jones from Belgium and Martinez’s grip, with the coach having been a part of the former Wigan manager’s backroom staff for over a decade. Still, Moore has the added bonus of having played alongside Jones and that could swing things in his favour, as well as the added responsibility of being a major part of the first team work at the Hawthorns. The World Cup has not helped Moore’s cause at getting his former team mate into the club but it certainly appears that things are getting close to completion. Now all attentions must turn towards preparing the players for what will no doubt be a long and arduous Championship campaign, with a return to the Premier League the goal. Will Jones’ arrival play a part in reaching the promised land once again? Perhaps not massively, but if the strikers are banging goals in left, right and centre next season, West Brom fans might afford him a pat on the back.