Ruth: We're a forward-thinking club

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Shannon Ruth to take charge of our under-21s following Andrew Crofts's promotion to first-team coach.

Charlie Hanson

2022-09-26T05:00:00Z

Shannon Ruth will take over as under-21s head coach.

Shannon Ruth has said that it was the proudest moment of his Albion career to be appointed under-21s head coach.

The former head of academy goalkeeping takes on the role following Andrew Crofts’s appointment as first-team coach, while Gary Dicker makes the step from the under-18s to assist Ruth.

“I am over the moon with the opportunity that the club has given me,” he said. “This is my seventh season at the club in various different roles and to be under-21s head coach is the proudest I have been. I have loved every minute of working for the club and I am looking forward to what the future holds.

“It shows how forward thinking the club is that they’re always prepared for any situation to arise and to think about how to move forward. From the bottom, right up to the top of the academy there is a pathway for coaches to develop. The club have a fantastic and empowering way of giving the staff an opportunity.”

Andrew Crofts was put in interim charge of first team matters following the departure of Graham Potter.

Ruth has praised the help he has been given by Crofts and his predecessor Simon Rusk on his coaching journey.

“Simon made me his assistant quite quickly after he arrived. More recently, working with Crofty has been an absolute joy. I am really delighted to see him take the next step in his own career because we’re extremely close.

“Lots of people contribute and that’s the way the club works. We support each other and work towards a common goal, it’s never one person achieving - it is everybody.”

It’s been a hectic week at the club with Roberto De Zerbi arriving on Sunday as our new head coach.

“Meeting Roberto and his staff has been really exciting,” said Ruth. “I said to our young players what an opportunity it is for them to impress a new coach who plays very attractive football and is keen to play young players.

“It’s a great challenge that they can look forward to. If you look over the past three years, the club has been renowned for producing top quality players, so it’s something that I am excited to help continue and Crofty will have important part too as he has a great knowledge of the under-21 group.”

Ruth’s first game in charge is next Friday at home to Tottenham in Premier League 2.