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Darren Moore ‘can make the tough calls’ at West Brom

Do not mistake Darren Moore’s kindness for weakness – that’s the warning from the man who first brought him to Albion as a coach.

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Darren Moore has an inner steel, according to his former boss Mark Harrison (AMA)

Moore has a reputation for being a warm character who will give up his time for others, as epitomised by his attendance at two charity games in recent weeks despite his hectic schedule.

But academy chief Mark Harrison, who has employed Moore as a youth team coach on two occasions, says his ability to make tough decisions shouldn’t be underestimated.

“I’ve heard a lot of people say Mooro is a lovely guy and he is,” said Harrison. “But anybody that mistakes that underneath that lovely guy there isn’t somebody who will deal and manage with situations would underestimate him.

“He’s prepared to sort issues out, but he does it in a way I believe in.

“You’re dealing with human beings first and foremost and all us human beings are all the same, we like to be treated in a certain way.

“That’s how you get the best out of anybody and that’s one of the approaches Darren’s taken to the job.

“When I’ve heard people talk about him on TV and on Sky, the perception is he’s a nice guy and yes he has that. He’ll always say hello to people and give up his time, but if there’s a decision to be made, he’ll make it.

"How he manages is the measure of the man – he treats people how you would want to be treated. I think that’s how Mooro’s gone about the job in terms of the man-management side of things.

“But don’t anybody underestimate that he hasn’t got that ability to make those tough decisions. He will.”

Moore is in the running for the full-time job following his five-game unbeaten streak as caretaker boss, although the board are also keen on Brentford boss Dean Smith.

Harrison first asked Moore to help out in the academy when he retired from football, and asked him to return following his stint as Michael Appleton’s first-team coach at Blackburn Rovers.

“Darren was somebody I approached to come and work at the academy,” said Harrison. “I’ve known him for a long time, we played against each other as kids and then parted company.

“When I started working here Darren was playing here and came up to the school of excellence to help us with the centre-backs.

“When he left I spoke to him about coming to work in the academy, come and work at this level.

“He spent some time with us and then went off to Blackburn.

“As soon as that didn’t quite work out with Michael Appleton, I was straight on the phone to Mooro.

“I don’t often do that, once a new member of staff takes that journey you should let them go, but Mooro had such an abundance of qualities, you would be ignorant not to want him and work in your environment.

“He’s worked passionately with the young players and he’ll do anything as well, as people will probably know.

"If I ask him, ‘Can you come and speak to an under-12 player?’ – no problem. He’s done fantastic work mentoring and nurturing the loan players too.”