West Brom assistant Keith Downing does not want to succeed Roy Hodgson but hasn't ruled out the possibility of following him to England.
Assistant won't apply for Baggies manager's job
West Brom assistant Keith Downing does not want to succeed Roy Hodgson as manager but refused to rule out the possibility of following him to England.
The former Birmingham and Wolves midfielder joined the Baggies as youth team coach in July 2009 and has worked alongside Hodgson as No2 since his arrival in January 2011.
With Hodgson preparing to leave the club at the end of the season in order to take charge of England, speculation has already begun regarding possible replacements at the Hawthorns.
Downing, who had a short spell in charge of Cheltenham in 2007-08, was quick to dismiss any chance of him applying for the manager's job.
However, he was less certain as to whether he would follow Hodgson through the West Brom exit doors and down to Wembley.
"I will not put myself forward for the Albion job. It is for someone who has a bit more experience at this moment in time," said the 46-year-old.
Questions
"Will I be going to England? There are a lot of questions to be answered. We will prepare for the end of the season and then see what happens."
West Brom travel to Bolton on Sunday before wrapping up their campaign with a home match against Arsenal seven days later.
With the club currently sat in 10th place the prospect of a top-half finish should be enough motivation for the players in their final two games but Downing believes they will be even more desperate to end on high in order to pay tribute to their departing manager.
"The players are disappointed Roy is leaving because it was going so well," added the 46-year-old.
"But they are professional people, will want to finish the season off in the right manner for Roy and make sure we attain the targets we set. He would demand that anyway.
"We want to get more points than last year, to keep our recent unbeaten run going, and we also know the magnitude of Sunday's game away to Bolton.
Integrity
"They need to win the game and we have to honour the integrity of the league and finish it off in the right way.
"The fans will also want to give Roy a good send-off. There are 4,500 going to Bolton and most I believe will be dressing up in England shirts.
"There is a warmth about supporters towards Roy. They appreciate what work he has done."
