West Brom to appoint Gary Walsh as goalkeeping coach

The 50-year-old former Manchester United shot-stopper will replace Neil Cutler, who left in November to join Midlands rivals Villa.

Cutler, ironically, effectively replaced Walsh, who had worked for two years under Steve Bruce at Villa before departing along with the rest of the coaching staff following the latter’s sacking in October.

During his time at Villa Park, Walsh was instrumental in the club’s decision to twice take Sam Johnstone on loan from Manchester United.

The pair will now be reunited at The Hawthorns, where Johnstone is the current Baggies No.1, having made a permanent summer switch from Old Trafford.

Walsh also has a long-standing relationship with Albion boss Darren Moore. The two were previously team-mates at Bradford City.

Mark Naylor, Albion’s professional phase development coach, has stepped up to train the senior goalkeepers following Cutler’s departure.

Yet it was always Moore’s intention to bring in a permanent replacement and in Walsh he has found his man.