Express & Star

West Brom keen on Coventry City academy chief Richard Stevens

Albion are closing in on appointing a new academy manager with Coventry City’s Richard Stevens understood to be high on their list of targets.

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The Hawthorns (AMA)

The Baggies youth set-up has been a source of immense pride for supporters in recent years due to the sheer number of players it has produced.

Romaine Sawyers, Nathan Ferguson, Rekeem Harper, Sam Field, Saido Berahino, Kemar Roofe and Tyler Roberts are just some of the stars who were first spotted by Albion while they were youngsters.

But the club are on the hunt for a new academy manager after Mark Harrison – who had been in the post for 13-years – left to join Villa in June.

Technical director Luke Dowling has led an extensive recruitment process to find the right man to take over the role.

And it is understood Stevens is under serious consideration for his work at Coventry over the past 12-years.

In that time he has helped more than 50 players rise through the youth ranks to feature for the Sky Blues’ first-team.

The Coventry academy has also helped produce the likes of James Maddison, Callum Wilson and Cyrus Christie – players who have all gone on to represent their country and play in the Premier League.

Alongside Stevens, it has been reported Dowling is also considering Chris McGuane for the academy job – who he worked with at Watford and Nottingham Forest.

McGuane began his coaching career at MK Dons before joining Watford in 2010 as their technical skills coach.

While with the Hornets, McGuane helped develop England and Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Jadon Sancho. But he moved to Forest last July to take up an assistant position in their academy.

McGuane holds a UEFA A coaching licence and an LMA diploma in football management.

Meanwhile, talented 17-year-old keeper Josh Griffiths has signed a new four-year contract at The Hawthorns.