Gary Megson returns to West Brom as assistant head coach

Gary Megson has returned to West Brom to take up the role of assistant head coach to Tony Pulis, the club confirmed on Friday.

The 58-year-old, who led Albion into the Premier League for the first time ever in 2002, replaces the newly-retired Dave Kemp.

Megson made over 200 appearances as a midfielder at Sheffield Wednesday before moving into coaching, managing a number of clubs including Norwich and Stoke before joining the Baggies in 2000.

In a statement on the club's official website, head coach Pulis said: "I've known Gary from my early days at Bristol Rovers when his dad Don gave me my debut and Gary would turn up to train as a 17-year-old.

"He's been out of things for a while but that's what attracted me in many ways - he's fresh, he will hit the ground running and he's a person I know I can bounce things off."

Megson's last coaching position saw him guide the Owls to a third-place finish in League One, two points off automatic promotion, before a surprising exit in 2012.

He said: "I'm really pleased. I've known Tony a long time and although we've never lived in each other's pockets we have similar views on how football should be played and how footballers should behave.

"I loved my time here although it's a long time ago now. You obviously have the club you grow up supporting which you always consider to be your club.

"But this is as close to that relationship as possible - and I can't pay it a higher compliment then that. It's a terrific club with terrific support."