West Brom notebook as two transfers are confirmed as Gareth McAuley lands his first management job
“Everyone knows I loved playing for Northern Ireland,” he told the Irish FA’s website. “It meant the world to me to pull on that jersey. “It’s no different now that I am on the coaching side of things. I will give it my all. This is my first job as a manager/head coach and, naturally, I want to succeed in the role.
“Hosting the U19 Euros will be fantastic for Northern Ireland. Football fans here will get to see some of the best young players in Europe in action, while our players will get the opportunity to play against them.”
McAuley arrived at Albion in 2011 on a free transfer from Ipswich Town as a 31-year-old with no previous Premier League experience, but he went on to become one of the biggest bargains in the club’s history, scoring 17 goals in 227 appearances – 203 of those in the top flight.