Brunt returns to West Brom as U23s assistant
Brunt played for West Brom for 13 seasons
Written by Training Ground Guru — March 12, 2021
WEST BROM legend Chris Brunt has returned to the club to become Under-23s assistant to Deon Burton.
The 36-year-old left Bristol City in January by mutual consent, because of persistent injuries, and has not played since. During 13 seasons at The Hawthorns he amassed 421 appearances and became a fans' favourite, before leaving at the end of 2019/20 season.
Brunt said: “I’m delighted to be able to begin coaching at the club I have called home for so many years of my playing career. I’m grateful to the club, in particular Luke Dowling, for making this opportunity available to me.
“We began discussing this role at the start of the year when injury had ended my time with Bristol City and I’m looking forward to a new challenge. I hope I will be able to pass on my experiences to younger players making their way in the game.”
The former Northern Ireland international replaces James Morrison, who was U23s assistant for a year before being appointed first-team coach by new manager Sam Allardyce in December.
Indeed, the Baggies have a track record of appointing recently-retired players to coaching roles in their Academy, with Boaz Myhill having been goalkeeping coach since September 2019 as well.
Sporting and Technical Director Dowling added: “In recent years we have recruited James Morrison and Boaz Myhill as coaches and their experience of what it takes to be a professional footballer at the highest level has been invaluable to our younger players.
“For Boaz and James it was important for them to test the water to see if coaching was for them and we’re delighted with the progress they have made in a relatively short period.
“This is a similar opportunity for Chris to ensure coaching is the next step for him and we’re confident his wealth of knowledge of this football club, in particular, will benefit both parties as he makes the transition from player to coach.
“In Chris we have a professional who himself played Academy football and he knows what it takes to play at the highest level. We are delighted to have him on board and we look forward to seeing him develop as a coach.”
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