Kiely handed Baggies coaching job
Wednesday 31st March 2010, 11:29AM BST.
Albion today officially handed stalwart Dean Kiely the task of running the club’s goalkeeping department.
The 39-year-old has been formally appointed goalkeeping coach after taking on the job on a trial basis this season following the retirement of Joe Corrigan.
And the veteran of more than 700 first team appearances is hanging up his gloves yet either having signed a one year extension to his playing contract – which raises the prospect of his playing Premier League football as a 40-year-old next season.
Kiely, credited with a big input in Scott Carson putting his career back on track, admits he has turned down opportunities to quit the Hawthorns to commit his future to the coaching staff of a club which recruited him three years ago.
“I’ve had many of opportunities to move on and play somewhere else,” said Kiely, who was on duty for the reserves this week.
“But when push comes to shove you’ve got to be happy in what you’re doing. I’m perfectly happy doing what I’m doing here.”
Kiely has helped Carson deal with the spill-over flak from his ill-fated England career and renewed criticism from some supporters this season whenever the promotion-bound Baggies have faltered.
And the former Irish international is relishing the chance to continue helping Carson who regards as “an immense goalkeeper.”
“The fact I’ll be doing the coaching and still retaining my player status is perfect for me,” added Kiely.
“It gives me something to get my teeth into and a plan a vision of how I want to do things in the long run in terms of goalkeepers at the football club – and how I think they should be regarding their traits and personality.
“I like to think I have helped Scott. I feel he has grown this season. The good thing about Scott is that he wants to see himself growing and getting better and I want to take him to those levels.
“This is a good place to be. It gives me a similar feel to Charlton Athletic, which is where I had a lot of success.
“It’s the people around the club that work here Monday to Friday that make it. It’s a good place to work and we’re moving in the right direction.”
UK Sport
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Congratulations Deano and all the best. Lets hope you can shape the futures of many sucessful Baggies Keepers to come.
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A bit like loaning a player before buying him in some ways and the steady approach we have come to expect. Dean comes across well too in his role as a pundit on TV late evenings. A good bit of business for everyone.
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Good piece of news and I agree with Cyril.
I remember saying to some in row R of the East Stand at half-time in a match that the away team’s keeper would be back here next week in Albion colours – they thought I was talking nonsense. Now look at him!
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jobs a good un!!
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congratulations Mr.Kiely, Our keepers are in good hands( Excuse the pun ).Hope you have a long and
happy stay with us Baggies. I agree Scot is now
showing us what a brilliant keeper he is.Keep it going “yung un”. good signing Jeremy.
~~~~BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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Hey guys
the legend that was Paul Raven was in my office yesterday!!
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What took the club so long Dean will be ideal
in his new job I dont know wether he will read this but if Carson would command his area more and shout to his defenders he would
be a natural for England. Maybe hes a quiet type who will be more assertive with age and
experience. Leicester next the last thing they wanted after playing last night is it on
TV ? maybe we can show what we are capable of
Fans GET BEHIND the team have patience if goals dont come quickly Leicester may tire 2nd half !
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(post 7)
1954 BAGGIE,
Good idea, we could send Scot on a nurses assertive course, that would do the trick. But don’t tell CYRIL and TERRY, we can’t have them
running around our local hospitals being assertive
towards our nurses.
~~~~BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH,
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There’s a great article in today’s Guardian about the financial shenanigans going on at Hull City, perpetrated by their Chairman and so called wealthy benefactor Russell Bartlett. It looks like Hull are going the same way as Portsmouth.
Once again, I am eternally grateful that the best business man in football happens to be an Albion fan and Chairman of our beloved club.
Keep up the great work JP.
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(post 9)
N Y,
Mr. Bartlett has taken a risk or two then. thats the way the slide into decline starts.Like your
good self N Y, I’m happy our club is built on
rock.
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I think this is a very good appointment. Having watched Dean a lot on the TV lately, he comes over as having old fashioned standards as a footballer. Goalkeeping is his job and he takes it seriously. I’m sure he’ll apply himself to his new role equally and because of this he may become a better coach than he was a player.
9 NYB.
Good post and what it emphasises again is that the PL we will (hopefully) be returning to, will be a very different one to the one we left. Yes the big money clubs will still win all the prizes but the mid and lower table clubs will be a different kettle of fish. As you say, Hull may well be next years Portsmouth but do we know that much about Birminghams new owners? There are a whole host of clubs with murky finances. Perhaps clubs like ourselves and Wolves do have a future in the top flight.
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Good decision. Pity they could not offer something like that when Kevin Phillips was loking to stay.
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