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Nick Hammond: I'm not 'foisted' upon Tony Pulis

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West Brom's new technical director denies being 'foisted' upon head coach Tony Pulis and promises to work alongside him in order to strengthen the Baggies.

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Nick Hammond has been brought in from Reading FC by chairman Jeremy Peace to oversee recruitment at the club.

There has been no technical director at Albion for nearly a year ever since Terry Burton left last June, leaving Pulis de facto in charge of transfers and scouting.

But 48-year-old Hammond, who starts work today, already knows Pulis and has done deals with the Welshman in the past.

Stoke bought Dave Kitson from Reading for a club-record £5.5m in 2008 when Pulis was manager.

"I'm absolutely delighted to be joining," said Hammond, who was director of football at Reading for 13 years.

"I'm looking forward to working with the chairman and the board and our head coach Tony Pulis.

"I have known Tony for many years and although this is a new relationship for us it's not like we don't know each other.

"I have already spoken to him a couple of times and met with him.

"It's not like I am being foisted upon him and I am certain we can work together for the positive benefit of the club."

Pulis is a traditionalist who has his own scouting network that he trusts, but the 58-year-old says he has no problems with Hammond's arrival, having worked under this system when he joined the Baggies and when he managed at Stoke.

"I worked with a technical director or director of football [John Rudge] at Stoke for 10 years," said the head coach.

"Nicky is a lot younger than Rudgy and I am hoping he will be a lot more free with his money so he can buy me a drink now and then, unlike what Rudgy did."

Albion are mathematically guaranteed to stay up after the weekend's games, meaning next season will be the seventh-successive season in the Premier League.

Pulis wants to overhaul the attacking forces at the club and freshen up an ageing squad.

The Baggies are planning a summer of heavy business but Peace reckons Hammond is the perfect man to oversee a hugely important window.

The chairman said: "We conducted a thorough search and Nick arrives as someone of great experience in this role.

"I believe that will stand us in good stead for what should be another busy summer transfer window.

"I'm delighted with his appointment. He rightly enjoys a very good reputation in the industry."

Hammond ends a 16-year association with Reading, and he is highly thought of at the Madejski Stadium.

Royals manager Brian McDermott said: "He was instrumental in the two promotions to the Premier League achieved during his tenure and, in my opinion, he is right up there as one of the very best directors of football in the game."