Albion step up search as Moore gets down to business
WEST Brom have approached a handful of candidates as the club step up their technical director search after a rejig in the recruitment department.
The Baggies are eager to press ahead now Giuliano Terraneo, appointed as technical consultant following Nick Hammond’s dismissal in April, has been removed from transfer negotiations.
Chief executive Mark Jenkins will lead on transfer talks amid reports Terraneo’s inflated player valuations had infuriated enquiring clubs.
Jenkins, who returned to West Brom in February, will be assisted by director of football administration Richard Garlick and club lawyer Simon Carrington.
Terraneo will continue to identify and recommend talent to head coach Darren Moore during the remainder of his six-month contract at The Hawthorns.
The 64-year-old Italian, who played for several clubs including Torino, AC Milan and Lazio, will also be responsible for hiring his longterm successor.
The Baggies have sounded out a small number of candidates to succeed Terraneo on a full-time basis, but an appointment is not thought to be imminent.
Terraneo, who consultancy roles has held similar at Monza, Lazio, Inter Milan and Fenerbahce, was appointed by Albion’s controlling shareholder Guochuan Lai.
“Clearly the owners saw that the last 12 months have not been successful, they wanted to make some changes,” Jenkins said last month.
“They are aware that appointing a sporting director, technical director, call it what you want, is not easy because there is not a plethora of them around in the industry.
“So as a temporary measure they put Giuliano in to assist.”
Garlick will depart for a new role with the Premier League at the end of July, removing an experienced member from the board.
Moore will have the final say on transfers, but is yet to make his first signing since being unveiled as Baggies boss in May.
Brentford duo Romaine Sawyers, a former Albion academy graduate, and Ryan Woods are high on his wish-list.
Moore is also keen on Bristol City forward Bobby Reid and has identified Northampton Town goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell as a possible replacement for Boaz Myhill, who was released last week.
Moore hopes The Hawthorns will be packed out for the inaugural Cyrille Regis Memorial Trophy.
Albion will play Coventry City in a commemorative fixture in tribute to the football great, who was a huge fans’ favourite at both clubs.
Regis scored 112 goals in 302 appearances for the Baggies before lifting the 1987 FA Cup during a seven-year spell with the Sky Blues.
“It promises to be a great occasion and a special tribute match,” Moore said. “It’s a day of celebration for all Midlands football and hopefully The Hawthorns will be packed full of supporters enjoying a game which means a lot to everyone.
“I hope fans come down in great numbers, back the lads and create a super atmosphere.”
Albion’s final summer friendly is scheduled for a 3pm kick-off on Saturday, July 28 – a week before the Championship season starts.
Regis was only 59 when he died of a heart attack in January. His widow, Julia, viewed the match as “a real honour” to his legacy.
“I think Cyrille would be slightly embarrassed and amused by the attention, but that speaks volumes about who he was, understated,” she said. “In our grief we have taken great comfort by the love everyone has shown.
“We certainly look forward to more teams from the Midlands becoming engaged in this and we’d also love to see grassroots teams involved.”
Ticket details will be announced in due course.