Pul of Albion is too strong

® GARY MEGSON has made a surprise return to football as Tony Pulis’ new assistant at West Brom.

Megson, who had been out of management since Sheffield Wednesday sacked him in 2012, takes the job following David Kemp’s decision to retire.

It is his second stint at The Hawthorns. He managed Albion between 2000 and 2004, getting them promoted to the Premier League twice.

Pulis said: “I’ve known Gary from my early days at Bristol Rovers when his dad Don gave me my debut and Gary would turn up to train as a 17-year-old.

“He’s been out of things for a while but that’s what attracted me in many ways – he’s fresh, he will hit the ground running and he’s a person I know I can bounce things off.”

Megson ended West Brom’s 16-year exile from the top flight when he took them up in 2002, but left two years later after a fall-out with then-chairman Jeremy Peace.

Megson, 58, said: “I have known Tony a long time and although we’ve never lived in each other’s pockets, we have similar views on how football should be played and how footballers should behave.

“I loved my time here, although it’s a long time ago now.

“You obviously have the club you grow up supporting, which you always consider to be your club.

“But this is as close to that relationship as possible – and I can’t pay it a higher compliment then that. It’s a terrific club with terrific support.”