Gerry Francis confirms he’s leaving West Brom despite Alan Pardew’s offer

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West Bromwich Albion coach Gerry Francis has confirmed that he is leaving The Hawthorns.

Gerry Francis

Gerry Francis has confirmed to Sky Sports that he is leaving West Brom despite receiving an offer from Alan Pardew to stay on at The Hawthorns as a coach.

Francis has worked with former Baggies boss Tony Pulis for almost a decade, joining him at Stoke City before subsequently following him to Crystal Palace and then to West Brom.

Pulis was sacked shortly after West Brom’s defeat to Chelsea last month, and was replaced by Pardew last week. Shortly after the former Palace boss’ appointment, it was announced that Gary Megson – who had been in caretaker charge following Pulis’ dismissal – had left the club.

And now Francis has confirmed to Sky Sports that he will also be leaving despite being given the chance to stay on and be a part of Pardew’s coaching staff.

“It is with regret that I feel I cannot accept Alan Pardew’s and West Brom’s offer to stay on at the club due to moral obligations on my part,” Francis said.

“It has nothing to do with Alan or the club where I have spent three enjoyable years. I wish Alan and the club owners, chairman, directors, players and supporters every success in the future.”

With Pardew wanting Francis to stay on in some capacity, it would appear that his departure may be something of a blow for the Baggies, as the new manager may have felt that he could have had a role to play in trying to guide the club away from trouble in the Premier League.

But perhaps the chance to put in a considerably different coaching staff set-up will be exactly what Pardew needs to do as he looks to try and steer the club away from the negativity that crept in during Pulis’ tenure when things were not going right.