West Bromwich Albion have today appointed new Academy Manager Richard Stevens who will join from local rivals Coventry City as confirmed on their official website.
Stevens’ arrival will complete a restructure of key staff in the Academy department at the Hawthorns. He will be joining the Baggies in early October from Coventry City where he has been responsible for an acclaimed record of player development.
Stevens has a very good track record in terms of bringing through younger players as his many successes include the development of current Premier League and England stars James Maddison and Callum Wilson and he will now head up West Brom’s Academy operations.
Albion’s Sporting and Technical Director Luke Dowling is delighted to have Stevens on board at the club. “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.”
When previous Academy Manager Mark Harrison left for Aston Villa it was greeted with disappointed by the Baggies fans as he had brought through the likes of Morgan Rogers, Louie Barry, Rekeem Harper and Sam Field as well as many other talented youngsters.
However with James Maddison and Callum Wilson now plying their trade in the top flight and being called up for England, it is hoped that Harrison’s success can be continued by Stevens.
