Ex-West Brom striker lands international coaching job after ending playing days

Former Albion striker Saido Berahino has taken his first steps into coaching after a landing a job in international football.

The 32-year-old Albion academy graduate ruled out playing in England again during an interview last year - and had seemingly left his playing days behind as he moved into coaching.

Berahino, who at one point in his career was the hottest young striker in the country, has been working towards coaching badges and was pictured online coaching young players.

And now it has been confirmed he has landed himself a job in international football with his home country.

Berahino has joined the coaching staff of the Burundi national team, having scored twice in 18 appearances as a player.

The striker switched allegencies to his home nation having risen through the England youth ranks, where he scored 11 goals in 12 games for the under 21s.

In a post in Instagram, the striker said: “It is a profound honour to take on the role of coaching for our national team.

“I extend my sincere gratitude to Burundi and Patrick Sangwa for this incredible opportunity and the trust they have placed in me.

“Excited for this chapter.”

The move comes more than a year on from the striker’s final game in football - where he turned out in the Slovenian Second Division.

It was a far cry from the heights of his Premier League days with Albion.

Berahino’s well publicised spat with ex-Albion chairman Jeremy Peace over a failed move to Totttenham as well as off field matters saw him move on to Stoke, having lit up the Premier League for Albion.

From there, the striker’s career has seen him play in Belgium, Cyrus and Slovenian, with a short stint back in England with ex-Baggies boss Darren Moore at Sheffield Wednesday.