Express & Star

Gary Megson makes shock return to West Brom

Former boss Gary Megson has made a shock return to Albion after being appointed assistant to Tony Pulis.

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Gary Megson won the first of two promotions with Albion in 2002.

Megson, who twice led the Baggies to promotion to the Premier League during a four-and-half year spell in charge between 2000 and 2004, replaces Dave Kemp who has decided to retire.

“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,” said Pulis.

“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.”

In his last posting, Megson had guided his home club Sheffield Wednesday to third in League One and two points off automatic promotion before a surprising departure in March 2012.

He said: “I’m really pleased. I’ve 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.”