Albion boss closes in on first-choice Jones for No.2 role
ALBION are in the final stages of negotiation before Graeme Jones is confirmed as the club’s new number two.
Darren Moore has been on the lookout for an assistant since he was named manager in May.
Moore quickly promoted Jimmy Shan to first-team coach and retained Neil Cutler as goalkeeping coach.
But landing a right-hand man has not been so straight-forward.
Moore has been made to wait while Jones helped Belgium to reach the last four at the World Cup in Russia as part of Roberto Martinez’s coaching staff.
And the 48-year-old is not now expected to finalise his move to the Hawthorns until after he returns from a family holiday.
An experienced number two, Jones joined up with Martinez at Swansea in 2007 before following him to Wigan Athletic, Everton, and then Belgium.
His arrival will be seen as a major coup for the Baggies.
Not least because Belgium had reportedly offered Jones a new deal to stay on after a hugely impressive World Cup campaign which saw the nation deliver its best ever finish.
The Red Devils were narrowly beaten by eventual champions France in a tight semi-final in St Petersburg and twice beat Gareth land to claim third.
Jones, who played alongside Moore at Doncaster Rovers, ticks all the right boxes for the Albion head coach.
Moore’s successful stint as caretaker manager last season was built on rock solid defensive performances.
His three wins –against Manchester United, Tottenham and Newcastle – all arrived by a 1-0 scoreline.
But the 44-year-old is keen to play a more expansive and attacking brand of football as he bids to take the Championship by storm.
Moore hopes Jones’ expertise and skill-set as a former striker will encourage Albion to play on the front foot and will complement his own knowledge on the defensive side.
Born in Gateshead, Jones made over 300 appearances during his 15-year playing career.
He scored 26 goals in 92 league games for Doncaster, where he met and struck up a close friendship with Moore.
Jones also had spells at Wigan – where he played alongside Martinez – St Johnstone and Southend United before finishing his career at Hamilton Academicals.
A serious injury forced him to retire from playing in March 2005 when he took up an assistant coaching role with the Accies.
Defender Craig Dawson made his Southgate’s Eng- first appearance of pre-season Barnsley on Tuesday night.
Dawson has slowly been reintegrated after refusing to attend the club’s training camp in Portugal in May. The 28-year-old also handed in a transfer request after bids from Burnley and West Ham were rejected.
The former Bolton centre-back was the only unused substitute in the 1-1 at draw at Aberdeen on Friday in what has been interpreted as a zero tolerance message from head coach Darren Moore.
But he started against the Tykes in a comeback 3-2 win.
Moore gave his senior players a lengthy run-out at Oakwell with the new Championship season less than a fortnight away.