West Brom consider contract extension for keeper Dean Kiely

Dec 5 2009 by Christopher Lepkowski, Birmingham Mail

DEAN Kiely may yet become Albion’s next goalkeeping coach – although the matter remains on the club’s backburner for now.

The 39-year-old, who is not much younger than Albion’s head coach Roberto Di Matteo, is inevitably looking ahead to his future beyond playing.

And while retirement is not something Kiely is yet to consider, he is keen to branch out into coaching.

The ex-Charlton man has been working on his coaching badges and has been Albion’s part-time goalkeeping coach since the summer.

Albion have yet to replace Joe Corrigan, with Kiely recently admitting that he would consider the role, although adding that he would also like a one-year extension onto his playing contract.

Di Matteo has yet to make a final decision, but is giving it plenty of thought.

“That has to be discussed,” said the Italian. “This season we gave him this dual role of playing and coaching.

“If he’s enjoying it that’s good and we will discuss it in the future.

“It’s working very well with Scotty and I can see that Scotty is improving in certain areas that I wanted him to – and that’s credit to his goalkeeping coach.

“We’ll discuss the whole situation with Dean.

“But that is still for another time.”

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