Darren Fletcher is close to returning to West Brom in an academy coaching role, according to The Athletic journalist Steve Madeley.
The reporter claimed via a live Q&A session via The Athletic’s website on Friday that Albion are yet to hire a new academy manager and Under-18s boss after a mass exodus of youth coaching staff over the summer.
Madeley was asked whether rumours of Fletcher’s return to The Hawthorns was on the cards were true, to which the journalist said: “I was told last week it was close. Obviously [Boaz] Myhill and [Michael] Appleton have been confirmed, which leaves the academy manager and the U18s role to be filled. I think we will know something soon, hopefully via The Athletic!”
Why is West Brom’s academy a mess?
One of the most frustrating parts of the summer for most West Brom fans was not seeing their club try and fail to re-sign Dwight Gayle from Newcastle United, it was seeing their established academy coaching set-up implode.
Academy manager Mark Harrison left to join fierce rivals Aston Villa in June while Under-18s boss Mike Scott, Under-23s coach Jamie Smith, academy goalkeeping coach Mark Naylor and youth coach Jimmy Shan, who served as the first-team caretaker manager last season, all also left in the summer.
One of the possible reasons why all these staff have left is the huge changes that sporting and technical director Luke Dowling has made.
As previously reported by The Athletic, Dowling has banned players and coaches from the Under-23s and academy from using the main entrance at the club’s training ground and are no longer allowed to use the same canteen as the senior squad.
It remains to be seen how much of an impact Dowling’s changes will have on West Brom’s youth set-up in the long-term, but the early signs are hardly promising when so many proven members of staff have emptied their desks and moved on.
What can Fletcher offer?
Fletcher is someone who has immense experience at the highest level of club football.
The 35-year-old boasts five Premier League titles, one Champions League title and one FA Cup winners’ medal to go with his 341 Premier League appearances and 80 caps for Scotland.
While coaching young players isn’t all about what you have done in your playing career, Fletcher is still someone that will have a lot of young players look up to him should he return to The Hawthorns.