Albion can today confirm the appointment of Richard Stevens as the Club’s new Academy Manager.

Richard’s arrival will complete a restructure of key staff in the Academy department.

He will be joining us in early October from Coventry City where he has been responsible for an acclaimed record of player development.

His recruitment completes a wide-ranging series of appointments within Albion’s Academy which has seen the arrival of:

Former midfielder and League manager Michael Appleton take up the post of Under 23s manager

David Kerslake, the former Swindon and Spurs player who has management experience at Cardiff City and Northampton, as the Academy’s new Head of Coaching

Boaz Myhill, Albion’s former keeper, who has taken up the role of Professional Phase Goalkeeper Development Coach and

Peter Gilbert, formerly the assistant Under 18s manager who has taken up the lead role for that age group

Richard, whose many successes include the development of current Premier League and England stars James Maddison and Callum Wilson, will now head up our Academy operations.

Luke Dowling, Albion’s Sporting and Technical Director, said: “Richard’s arrival completes the recruitment we have undertaken at Academy level.

“I’m delighted with the appointments we have made and believe we have added some tremendous experience as well as coaching expertise.

“Our Academy deserves its enviable reputation but I know Richard and the guys around him will all want to do even better in the years ahead. It remains a vital area of the Club’s operations.

“The journey from young player of potential to first-team regular remains the key feature of development and we now have a core of staff in key positions who understand that process.”