West Brom coach Ben Garner would love to be a manager

Assistant head coach Ben Garner has spent time under Pulis at Crystal Palace and Albion – a 'great education' he has enjoyed every minute of.

But the 37-year-old is keen to move into the hotseat, should the right opportunity arise

"I'd like to go on and take a team myself and Tony's aware of that – he's been a big help in that respect," said Garner. "I had a really good conversation with him in pre-season which was helpful.

"So for me it's now a case of doing a good job here, helping the team and keep learning every day.

"If I get presented with an opportunity to become a head coach or managing myself then I'll look at that on its own merit and decide what to do really.

"Until it arises I'll carry on what I'm doing here to the best of my ability."

Garner was named as a surprise contender for the Nottingham Forest job in January, but he never held talks with Forest before it was eventually given to former Brentford and Rangers boss Mark Warburton.

"There was certainly no approach," said Garner. "There was no opportunity there for anything to be discussed or looked at. That was speculation so there was nothing to discuss."

For the time being, Garner's focus remains firmly on his job at the Baggies as they look to surpass last season's 10th-placed finish.

"My role here is great. I love what I do," he said. "Being able to work with the players every day and have an impact on the training pitch – but also Tony gives me responsibility in terms of opposition analysis and presenting team meetings and delivering tactical information to the players.

"From my point of view it's been a great education working under him at Crystal Palace and here, it points me in a strong place personally to progress in the future."