Shannon Ruth was appointed interim-coach alongside Andrew Crofts in February 2021, following the departure of Simon Rusk to Stockport County, before taking on the role of senior professional development coach at the end of that season.

Ruth became Albion’s under-21 assistant coach in January 2018, following a spell as lead academy goalkeeping coach - a role he still oversees.

After playing football at non-league level in the Conference, Ruth began coaching with Chelsea at the age of 18, as he worked with the under-9 to under-12 goalkeepers at the club.

Head of goalkeeping roles at Aldershot and Reading followed - four years with the Royals - before joining Albion, initially as a goalkeeping coach before stepping up to be Rusk’s assistant.

Following the departure of Graham Potter, Billy Reid, Bjorn Hamberg, Bruno, Ben Roberts and Kyle Macaulay to Chelsea, Ruth made the step up to interim assistant head coach.

With Roberto De Zerbi appointing Andrew Crofts to his first team coaching staff, Ruth was promoted to under-21s head coach in September 2022.

Jason McCarthy was appointed our men’s under-21s professional development phase coach in January 2025.

The former defender made 301 professional appearances. He began his career with Southampton, making one Premier League appearance before departing permanently for Barnsley in 2017.

Spells with Millwall and Wycombe would follow, notably helping the Chairboys to promotion to the Championship in 2020. He spent the final four-and-a-half years of his playing career at Adams Park, making his last professional appearance in the FA Cup in November 2024.