Albion are delighted to confirm the appointment of Chay Thompson as Lead Under-18 Professional Development Phase Coach.
Having spent the last three seasons as Leigh Downing’s assistant prior to his transition into the U21s, Thompson has stepped up to take charge of the club’s scholarship group - a task he’s been fulfilling and excelling in since the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
Formerly of Coventry City, where he spent just under 10 years coaching in their academy before moving to The Hawthorns in 2022, Chay has helped the Baggies’ 18s enjoy a solid start to the season - losing just one (W:2 D:1) of their first four matches.
And Thompson says he’s “honoured” to be given the responsibility of leading the club’s scholars.
“I’m honoured to be able to get the opportunity at such a massive football club,” said Thompson.
“I want to thank all the staff I’ve worked with during my time here for helping me reach this stage and I’m really looking forward to getting my teeth into the role.
“We want to improve the U18 players here every day, not just as footballers but as people too, and it’s our job to try and help them reach that next level.
“There’s a strong group here currently, their attitudes have been outstanding since the start of the season, and with this club’s successful history of producing exciting players from the academy, I’m motivated to help continue that process leading the 18s.”
Thompson will be joined by colleague Daniel Bryson, who marks a proud chapter in his long-standing association (13 years) coaching with the club - which started part-time with the academy in 2012, in addition to guiding youngsters as part of The Albion Foundation team in 2013.
While in the Baggies’ youth system, Dan has served as YDP Coach, Lead YDP Coach, and now Assistant PDP Coach in the 18s.
Academy Manager Richard Stevens believes this new coaching team further reflects the “integrated” system in place at the club’s academy, stating the strong relationships and familiarity which has been maintained will only bode well for the future progression of Albion’s youth players.
Stevens said: “We’re really happy that Chay and Dan will be coaching the U18s.
“I believe the changes we’ve made in the academy keeps the whole PDP department integrated.
“Chay has worked with Leigh Downing for the last three years, so they have a good relationship, Chay has a good relationship with the players, he knows what we want as staff and what the football club wants from its young players.
“It’s important we establish that integration from the U18s through to the 21s because there’s a lot of movement between the two age groups and it has to be a collective process. With Chay and Leigh leading the two respective age groups, I think we’ll get that.
“Dan’s been at the football club for a long time and has worked his way all the way through from the Foundation, to the younger age groups in the academy, and most recently as the Lead YDP Coach - with particular emphasis on the U15 and 16s.
“So, once again, that connects those age groups together, it connects the U16s into the PDP department now Dan is there with Chay, they both deserve the chance to step up and we’re looking forward to seeing how they progress in these roles.”
