Richard Beale given Millwall mission as West Brom 'close' on new manager

Latest West Bromwich Albion news from BirminghamLive includes Richard Beale's pre-Millwall thoughts

Richard Beale is poised to take charge of West Bromwich Albion’s match at Millwall tomorrow - despite the Baggies understood to be closing in on a new manager.

Under-21 manager Beale has been overseeing first team duties since Steve Bruce’s sacking a fortnight ago. A 2-0 victory over Reading in his first game was followed up by a 2-0 defeat to Bristol City on Tuesday.

Albion are believed to be close to appointing a successor to Bruce after a lengthy recruitment process. But Beale will take to the dugout at The New Den on Saturday for his final stand as interim head coach.

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"I haven't had any more updates and I'm not part of the process,” admitted Beale. "Like you, you see what's written and said, but I just carry on until I'm told otherwise and go from there.

“We've fully prepared since Wednesday for taking the game and envisage taking the game tomorrow and giving everything we've got to take the three points.

"This is completely different to the week we had with Blues (as interim co-manager) because I didn't make any decisions, or do any of this (media) side of it. It's been good, full of rich experiences, we've experienced the highs and lows and, as I said, it would be amazing to top it off with another high tomorrow because that feeling was second-to-none last Saturday.

"That's what the club needs, most importantly, that's what the fans deserve and the fans want. What I've experienced and gone through is irrelevant, I'll reflect on that as and when this spell comes to an end.

"It might be the boring answer but everything is around the three points tomorrow and setting up for what will be a difficult game at a difficult place, they're on good form but we'll be set up and ready to go."

The new manager will have plenty of experience to lean on when he pitches up at Albion’s training ground. Beale is willing to share his thoughts on the current playing staff, while former players James Morrison and Chris Brunt are part of the backroom team.

“I’m sure that when the new manager comes in he will speak to all the staff,” said Beale. “There’s staff around the first team that will know the first team players and the ins and outs more than me, but having stepped into the role over the past few days I’m sure the new manager will have done his homework and will know the squad and its strengths and weaknesses. I’m sure we’ll have plenty of conversations, especially in the early time that he arrives.”

Albion aren’t the only club without a manager in this region. Neighbours Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa are also looking for new bosses after sacking Bruno Lage and Steven Gerrard respectively.

Wolves are set to keep caretaker Steve Davis until the World Cup break, while Villa’s search is only just beginning after Gerrard’s departure on Thursday night. The situation in the West Midlands is unprecedented, but Albion are at least close to ending their spell without a manager.

Beale added: “It’s not nice seeing managers lose their jobs and being in the game, it’s crazy in football all over the world that managers get such a short tenure - I don’t know whether that’s because of the finances that are involved now. You need time to build things and lots of managers this year aren’t getting the time.”

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