West Bromwich Albion are preparing to make Darren Moore their first-team manager on a full-time basis as they look to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

The former Albion defender improved the Baggies' fortunes during his spell as caretaker boss but couldn't ultimately undo the damage of Alan Pardew's reign and saw his side relegated.

But there was more than enough promise shown during Moore's time in charge to convince the club that he was the right man to take them forward and barring an extraordinary turnaround he will be announced as the new head coach in the coming days.

Darren Moore impressed during his caretaker spell (PA)

West Brom had also considered Brentford's Dean Smith and Leicester City assistant manager Michael Appleton, but Albion chief executive Mark Jenkins and technical consultant Giuliano Terraneo decided that 44-year-old Moore was the best man for the job after meetings with owner Guochuan Lai in China.

Appleton was understood to be the preferred option of the existing hierarchy but negotiations fizzled out as Moore ended the season strongly and ultimately won the job.

Albion's senior players, including Chris Brunt and Gareth Barry, vouched for Moore to senior figures at the club.

Moore during his Albion playing days (Getty)

Speaking to The Independent earlier this year, Moore hoped that he could be a trailblazer for young BAME coaches in Britain, with only four holding senior posts in the Football League:

"There are more black coaches in football now, and more pathways into it. But there needs to be more. The figures are still alarming considering the pool of talent. There need to be more on that path, more getting the opportunity. And they have to be good enough, I am not just beating the drum.

"I understand that in this industry when someone loses a job there is a quick replacement. But I think everybody should be given the opportunity to be interviewed for that role, to open up the pool a bit more. The figures at the moment would suggest that’s not happening.

"I used to work for PFA as a coach educator and on the coaching courses I saw a lot of BAME coaches trying to get into the game, trying to get on a pathway. The coach education programme is another great career, they are crying out for coaches, from the grassroots to the professional game. It’s another route, like a player going out on loan."