Darren Moore 'one of the first' people to wish James Shan luck with West Brom

Albion’s sacked head coach still speaks to Shan, who has taken over as caretaker, on a regular basis.

The pair have been friends and colleagues for a long time, and Moore is keen for Shan to be a success.

“I speak to him regularly,” revealed Shan. “Obviously he went away to Kenya to do some charity work, while he was away we spoke.

“He genuinely is one of the first on the morning of the game to wish me luck and when I turn my phone back on at the end of the game he's one of the first to congratulate and say 'well done'.

“Once everything settles down we'll catch up and have a bite to eat.”

Although Moore's interactions have been to wish Shan luck, the caretaker has also spoken to a number of other former colleagues over the past four weeks in order to get advice.

Former Albion and FA technical director Dan Ashworth has been in touch, as has Keith Downing, who took caretaker charge of Albion for six games over Christmas 2013.

“I’ve got some good people and friends, people who have worked at a good level who I speak to in the week to pick their brains,” he said. “That’s important.

“People who have been there and done it, lived and breathed it, maybe made mistakes but that’s the only way you learn.

“A couple have stepped up into caretaker roles. It’s just trying to get their experiences. What was successful? What was unsuccessful?

“I pick their brains not so much on the tactical side, more the man-management side of things.

“One of my big mentors is Dan Ashworth. I spoke to Dan at the start of this, I've spoken to Keith Downing.

“I've got lots of people going all the way back to when I started at Birmingham City.

"Richard Stevens (currently at Coventry City) was the academy manager, I've spoken to him.

“Stewart Hall (currently coaching in Ethiopia) was the one before him, I've spoken to him.

“As expected, there's been lots of people to pick up the phone to congratulate and it's been a natural response for me to ask questions.

“It's not people picking up the phone saying 'I can give you advice' – it's been in general conversation with people I've kept in touch with over the last 18 years.

“When the phone rings, it would be naive of me not to ask probing questions and try and educate myself in the best ways I possibly can.”