Express & Star

Craig Shakespeare seals a Premier League return

Former Albion and Walsall midfielder Craig Shakespeare is back in the Premier League after reuniting with Nigel Pearson at Watford.

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Craig Shakespeare

The pair, who worked together at Leicester City, have renewed acquaintances with Shakespeare confirmed as Pearson’s assistant at the Hornets.

Former Baggies assistant boss and caretaker manager Pearson has taken over at Vicarage Road with the side rock-bottom of the Premier League. Shakespeare had been linked with a possible return to Albion as under-23 boss.

Pearson and Shakespeare were credited with laying the foundations for Leicester City’s Premier League title-winning campaign in 2016.

Craig Shakespeare has joined Nigel Pearson’s coaching staff at Watford, the Hornets have announced.

Shakespeare, 56, was assistant to Claudio Ranieri when Leicester won the Premier League title in 2016.

He also had a spell as Foxes manager the following year, and now moves to Watford as assistant head coach.

Shakespeare is a former team-mate of new boss Pearson’s at Sheffield Wednesday, and he also worked alongside Pearson at West Brom, Leicester and Hull.

He has also previously coached at Everton and had a brief coaching stint with England.

“Further confirmations with regards to Pearson’s coaching staff will follow in due course,” Watford said on their official website.

Pearson was appointed as head coach last week, with Watford currently bottom of the Premier League, two points behind Norwich.