James Shan: I’ll stay if West Brom board trusts me
James Shan admits he would like to remain in charge of Albion until the end of the season – but only if the board believe that is in the best interests of the club.
The coach, who has masterminded wins over Swansea and Brentford, will take charge of the Baggies for the third time when they take on Blues tonight.
Shan has been in caretaker charge at The Hawthorns since the sacking of Darren Moore earlier this month – with the 40-year-old stepping up from his role as first-team coach.
It is understood Shan will remain in the Baggies hotseat until the end of the season if Albion impress in the derby.
And when asked if he’d like to remain at the helm until the end of the campaign, Shan admitted he would.
“If the football club instructs me to do so then yes, of course, I’d like to continue,” he said. “But my best interests are not for James Shan – they are for the football club.
“It’s whatever the football club decide to do. I have been here a long time and I have seen lots of changes at the football club.
“That change has been quite regular at the top.
“I think Chris Brunt made a statement the other day that he’s had 13 managers in the 10 years he has been here, I have been 13 years.
“Whatever this football club decides is best for the club and its promotion push – I will support that 100 per cent.”
Shan has a romantic back-story with Albion having worked his way up from coaching the under sevens to being part of the first-team set up.
And the Birmingham-born coach revealed he’s had a host of offers to leave The Hawthorns in his time at the club.
“In the past, there has been or two offers at first-team level when I was working for the under-23s and one or two from some very, very big clubs at academy level,” he said. “A big factor in me staying here was the locality and the environment.
“Also in my 13 years here, I have enjoyed a great progression.
“Going from role to role gives you a lot of stimulation. It’s a new task.
“Some people leave their jobs because they are not stimulated and want a fresh challenge.
“But I have been fortunate to have that in my rise at the football club.
“Working with ages seven to 11, then the 12 to 16, then 18-23s and now first-team level, every promotion and every progression has been a new challenge.”
