West Brom are one of the biggest teams in England, so naturally have expert coaching staff accompanying first-team manager Carlos Corberan – so who features amongst the Spaniard’s crew?
Manager: Carlos Corberan
West Bromwich Albion’s current manager is Carlos Corberán. The Spaniard signed a two-and-a-half-year contract at The Hawthorns in October 2022. The Baggies boss replaced the departing Steve Bruce.
Corberán has already experienced the challenges of England’s second tier during his coaching career – managing local rivals Huddersfield Town.
He also has experience at Leeds United, Olympiacos and also time in sunny Cyprus during his short managerial career thus far.
First Team Assistant Coach: Jorge Alarcon
Jorge Alarcón came into Carlos Corberán’s coaching team in October 2022 as the First Team Assistant Coach.
Alarcon has worked previously with Corberan. The two know each other very well from their time together at Huddersfield Town and Greek giants Olympiacos.
He started his professional career as a fitness coach for Al-Nassr, before beginning his official coaching work later down the line.
Jorge obtained a PhD in Sports Science during the later years of his education and is currently enjoying his second spell coaching in English football.
First Team Assistant Coach: Michael Hefele
Michael Hefele replaced Jaime Monroy as Carlos Corberán’s First Team Assistant Coach in December 2022.
Hefele is known in the English football league having featured prominently for Huddersfield Town under David Wagner – who he signed for in 2016.
He went on to be a crucial member of the Huddersfield squad that season, featuring in lucrative fixtures such as a Championship Play-Off Final to ensure the Terriers sealed a first-ever promotion to the Premier League – to which he also featured in the following season against none other than Manchester United.
Hefele made close to 50 appearances for the West Yorkshire outfit, also featuring for Nottingham Forest after this. He’s now embarking on his coaching journey, with the Baggies his first real role.
First Team Statistical Analyst: Damia Abella
Damia Abella was confirmed as Carlos Corberán’s First Team Statistical Analyst in 2023.
Before his involvement in first-team coaching environments, Abella played for Spanish giants Barcelona – where he played as a defender at the Nou Camp.
Abella would end his playing days in England with Middlesbrough in 2016 and retire at the age of 34 with over 250 professional appearances to his name.
He would return to the UK not long after retiring, to help Watford as a Strategic Analyst. He helped them secure a promotion in 2021.
Goalkeeping Coach: Marcos Abad
Marcos Abad is the Goalkeeping Coach at West Bromwich Albion under Carlos Corberan.
He began his footballing education at the University Of Alicante, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Physical Activity and Sports degree. He then started his goalkeeping coach career in 2009 when he joined Spanish side CD Alcoyano.
Since then, he’s had no problem in finding roles. Most notably he was the head goalkeeping coach at Leeds United and also at former La Liga side Elche CF.
He joined Corberan’s ranks in 2023.