James Shan: I’ve been lost since West Brom's defeat to Aston Villa

The 40-year-old impressed as caretaker boss for the final 12 games of the season, securing Albion’s place in the play-offs before pushing their rivals all the way to the penalties.

He’s been given assurances that he will remain at The Hawthorns next season, and is currently expecting that role to be first team coach.

On Monday he will be watching Villa take on Derby in the play-off final, thinking had events gone slightly differently, it could have been him at Wembley.

“Obviously, we would have loved to have been there,” Shan told The Sun. “I have not gone back over the game yet.

“But I sincerely believe that if we had ended the game with 11 men — we lost Chris Brunt after 80 minutes — we would have seen the tie out in 90 minutes.

“I will watch it back one day and have a look but not right now.

“I have felt a bit lost since the game because you get into a routine and habit of getting to work and having some direction.

“Two days after, I woke up thinking I had not planned my session then I realise quickly ‘Bloody hell, the season is finished!’ so yes, I am a bit lost.”

Shan’s tactics to nullify Villa and threaten on the counter worked well over two legs, but ill-discipline across three games cost the Baggies.

After Hal Robson-Kanu was sent off in injury time against Derby, ruling him out of the play-offs, Dwight Gayle and Chris Brunt were then shown red in each of the legs.

Despite losing in the semi-final, Shan impressed the Albion board, and delivered six wins from six home games.

“I spoke to the club before I was appointed caretaker until the end of the season and was assured there would be a job for me,” he confirmed.

“My current contract is first-team coach and at this moment I would expect it to stay as first-team coach.

“There are some candidates they are looking at, so there’s no doubt the football club is looking to make the right strides.

“A bit like when Darren went, you have to expect the unexpected.”

Having worked closely with Darren Moore for years, it was difficult for Shan to step into his departed friend’s shoes.

But he expects Moore to find another club to work with soon.

“Darren is a club legend and will always have that status because of the way he is as a human being,” said Shan.

“He came in and did a fantastic job at the back end of last season and I came and assisted him.

“Darren would often text me on the morning of a game wishing me all the best and then he would text me in the evening to congratulate me.

“After the game against Derby, we met at a motorway services to chew the fat.

“I’m sure we will see him turn up at a club very soon.”

Having enjoyed his taste of management, Shan hasn’t ruled out returning to the dugout as the No.1 himself, but for now, he’s taking a well earned break with his young family.

“I will watch the play-off final between Villa and Derby and be intrigued,” he said. “We played Derby in the last game of the season and, obviously, we’ve just played Villa.

“Both teams are very, very similar with their set-ups and formations.

“They both have a real attacking threat. It is a 50-50 game. It will be fascinating and open and fantastic for the neutrals.

“Like any given game it will be up to the big players to rise to the occasion – just one big moment could win the match.”