Leko hoping he will thrive under Moore
ALBION winger Jonathan Leko hopes Darren Moore will have a “big influence” on him as head coach next season.
Moore saw off competition from around 50 applicants to fill the managerial vacancy created by the departure of Alan Pardew in April.
Leko, who recently signed a contract extension to the summer of 2021, reckons Moore was the only man for the job and is excited about playing under his old pal.
“Who else would you want in charge apart from Mooro?” he asked. “I’ve known him a long time and he’s a pleasure to work with.
“We’ve got a good relationship and he has always told me to express myself on the pitch.
“He will be a big influence. I’m buzzing for him that he has got the job and I can’t wait to work with him.”
Having made his Albion debut nearly three years ago, Leko has been around for a while, yet has not long turned 19.
He made 15 appearances across his first two seasons in senior football, but his progress stalled last year.
The England Under-19 international made a strong start to his season-long loan with Bristol City, quickly clocking up nine appearances for the Championship club.
But he was phased out of Lee Johnson’s team from the end of October and only went on to play two more games before he was recalled early.
Leko then failed to break back into the Baggies side under Pardew and Moore.
He insists the experience at Bristol, and certainly the flurry of games early on, will stand him in good stead for the season ahead.
“There wasn’t as much rest as I would have liked – it was game after game in the Championship,” he said.
“Now I know that, I’m looking forward to it because I just want to play.
“The more games, the better.”