West Bromwich Albion have appointed Gavin Strachan as their new first-team coach, a move that has drawn praise from those who have worked with him previously. The 45-year-old, son of former Celtic manager Gordon Strachan, joins the Baggies after a spell as first-team coach at Peterborough United, where he worked under Darren Ferguson.
Strachan's Background and Experience
Gavin Strachan began his coaching career at Celtic, where he served as a first-team coach under Brendan Rodgers and later Neil Lennon. He was part of the coaching staff that helped Celtic win back-to-back trebles in 2017 and 2018. After leaving Celtic in 2021, he joined Peterborough United, where he remained until his recent appointment at West Brom.
According to West Brom manager Carlos Corberán, Strachan brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the club. "Gavin is a coach with a lot of experience in the game, having worked at a high level with Celtic and also in the Championship with Peterborough," Corberán said. "He has a clear idea of how he wants to play and will be a valuable addition to our coaching staff."
Reaction from Former Colleagues
Former Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, who worked with Strachan during his time at Parkhead, spoke highly of him. "Gavin is an excellent coach with a great understanding of the game," Rodgers said. "He is hard-working, dedicated, and has a fantastic relationship with players. I am sure he will be a success at West Brom."
Darren Ferguson, who managed Strachan at Peterborough, also praised his former assistant. "Gavin is a top-class coach who will bring a lot to West Brom," Ferguson said. "He is very thorough in his preparation and has a great ability to communicate with players. I am delighted to see him get this opportunity."
What This Means for West Brom
The appointment of Strachan is part of a wider restructuring of West Brom's coaching staff under Corberán. The club has been looking to strengthen its backroom team as it aims for promotion from the Championship. Strachan's arrival is expected to bring fresh ideas and a new perspective to the training ground.
West Brom currently sit 10th in the Championship table, six points off the play-off places. The club's hierarchy hopes that Strachan's experience and expertise will help the team improve its performance in the second half of the season. "We are pleased to welcome Gavin to the club," said West Brom's sporting director, Ian Pearce. "He has a strong reputation in the game and we believe he will make a positive contribution to our coaching team."
Strachan's Own Words
Speaking about his appointment, Strachan expressed his delight at joining West Brom. "I am thrilled to be joining West Bromwich Albion," he said. "It is a club with a great history and a fantastic fanbase. I am looking forward to working with Carlos and the players to help the team achieve its goals."
Strachan also highlighted his admiration for Corberán's style of play. "Carlos has a clear philosophy and I am excited to be part of that," he added. "I believe I can bring some new ideas and help the team continue to develop."
