Darren Moore hails West Brom as model for success

The former defender started work at Blackburn after being appointed as first-team coach alongside ex-Albion team-mate Michael Appleton.

But the 38-year-old, who served the Baggies for almost five years as a player and for the last eight months as under-18s coach, admitted leaving again will be a wrench.

"It's a new era for me and a new challenge," said Moore. "It's come out of the blue and it will be difficult to say goodbye. The club is ingrained in me from my time as a player and being back in the building as a development coach has been a fantastic experience.

"Did I expect it to end so soon? No, but that's how football is.

"'Appy' has come calling, he wants me to help him out and the opportunity for me to work with him and work with the first team at a club like Blackburn was one I couldn't turn down.

"But Albion is fabulous now. It is such a solid, well-run club and they do everything right. You can tell that by the way so many clubs are now looking to emulate the way things are run at Albion, from the structure, to the way they play, to the way the coaches work.

"I want to thank the club for giving me the chance, and also to all the supporters for the messages I've received. That's why the club will always be close to my heart."

But Moore admitted he is excited about his new job alongside Appleton and No 2 Ashley Westwood.

"I trust 'Appy' 100 per cent," he said. "I think he's got the pedigree and everything you need to be a top coach and a top manager.

"That's why this opportunity was too good to turn down."