Chris Brunt plans move into coaching

Captain Chris Brunt has a new perspective on Albion's pre-season – after spending the summer taking his first steps into coaching.

Captain Chris Brunt has a new perspective on Albion's pre-season – after spending the summer taking his first steps into coaching.

The Northern Ireland international was back in training yesterday, as the Baggies squad reported back for the first day of pre-season.

But the winger's close season featured plenty of football after he spent his break working towards his UEFA 'A' Coaching Licence.

And the 26-year-old believes a summer learning new skills will help him see the pre-season programme from boss Roy Hodgson's point of view.

Brunt said: "I'm not sure exactly what I want to do after playing.

"But when you've been involved in football all your life it would be difficult to go away and try something new, so it would be good to still be involved.

"I think doing the coaching badges has helped me see what managers expect of you as a player and it makes you realise how difficult it can be and how much pressure they're under, especially at our level.

"If it helps me organise myself as a player and captain, maybe I can then pass that on to the other lads and that can only help the team."

[24link]