Richard Beale poised to move to League One club after West Brom exit

Beale, whose official title was professional development phase manager, was said to have exited the Baggies to pursue an opportunity at another club.

And it appears the highly-regarded coach is set to swap academy football for a role at senior level - at League One outfit Reading.

The Royals, who are managed by former player Noel Hunt, are on the search for a new assistant boss after former employee Nigel Gibbs swapped Berkshire for the Black Country to take up the role of assistant head coach at The Hawthorns under the new management team of Ryan Mason.

It is yet to be confirmed, but Beale - who has managed Albion's under-21s between 2021 and 2025 - is said to be heading to Reading.

A social media post by Albion coach Deon Burton, who worked closely with Beale in the youth set-up, read: "It has been an absolute pleasure working alongside you in the last few years @Richard.beale - some memorable moments.

"(I) have definitely become a better coach from the time we have spent working together mate. All the best @Readingfc my home town club. They have for sure made a great appointment."

It remains to be seen who will fill Beale's void at the helm of Albion's under-21s.

Burton has been in the Baggies youth ranks since 2018 and worked closely with Beale to guide the under-21s to the Premier League Cup triumph over Wolves in 2022. Albion's under-18s boss is long-serving coach Leigh Downing.

New Baggies senior assistant Gibbs and head coach Mason are in situ at the club's Walsall training base, with players to return for pre-season on Wednesday.

Beale's prospective new club Reading finished seventh in League One last season, just one place and three points outside the play-offs places. It was an impressive effort given off-field hierarchy turmoil and the Royals have recently been taken over.

Hunt was appointed permanent head coach last December.