New Albion head coach Steve Clarke has bolstered his backroom staff by appointing Kevin Keen as joint assistant head coach alongside Keith Downing.
The 45-year-old former West Ham United and Liverpool first-team coach joins the club having previously worked with Clarke at West Ham and Liverpool.
Keith Downing will retain the role he had under former boss Roy Hodgson following Michael Appleton’s departure to Portsmouth last November, and Dean Kiely remaining as goalkeeper coach.
Clarke said: "Kevin is a fantastic coach, enthusiastic and hard-working.
"He understands me, knows what makes me tick, and most importantly is a good person to have around the place.
"I think I’ve now got a great mixture in my coaching staff with Keith and Dean, who know the club and players inside out, and Kevin, who knows me and can help make that connection to all the staff easier."
Keen, who has held his UEFA Pro License since 2007, made over 600 appearances and scored more than 50 goals as a player for Wycombe Wanderers, West Ham, Wolves, Stoke City and Macclesfield Town.
At Moss Rose he also had a brief stint as caretaker manager following manager Gil Prescott’s decision to concentrate on a role as director of football in October 2001.
Keen hung up his boots in 2002 and immediately turned to coaching by rejoining the Hammers as Under-17s Academy coach in July that year before going on to become reserve-team boss.
A role as first-team coach followed and he had three caretaker manager spells in nine years at the East London club before joining the Reds last July and helping them to League Cup success.
Albion sporting and technical director Dan Ashworth added: "I’m delighted to welcome Kevin to the club.
"Steve was eager to work with Keith Downing and Dean Kiely when he arrived and also targeted Kevin as the person he would most like to bring in.
"We’re delighted we’ve been able to keep the nucleus of last season’s very successful backroom staff together.
"And since Terry Burton left as first-team coach in March we always had it in mind we would appoint another member of coaching staff at the end of the season - and we’re pleased to have captured someone of Kevin’s calibre."
