West Bromwich coach Pulis signs contract extension

London, Aug 11 (IANS) English top division football club West Bromwich Albion on Friday signed a contract extension with head coach Tony Pulis until 2019.

"Pulis was contracted to the Baggies until the end of the 2017/18 campaign and is "delighted" to have agreed to further extend his commitment to the club following talks with chairman John Williams," West Bromwich said on their website.

Pulis cited Albion's continued English Premier League (EPL) stability and the further development of Albion's blooming Academy prospects as key elements of his future plans.

He said: "I'm delighted to extend my contract because it continues the stability within the club which is essential for its progress.

"I've said all along that we are in a building phase which requires a step by step process. I think we've seen an improvement all across the Club in recent seasons and we must continue that in what is such a tough, tough league.

"Having spoken to John at great length over the summer, we know this club has a direction it needs to follow and we are determined to do that."

Pulis underlined that keeping a spot in the English top-flight is "absolutely essential" at a time when it has never been tougher to compete in England's top division.

Pulis continued: "We can never underestimate just how important it is to keep our place in a league that is now the most famous and the most followed in the world.

"Neither can we underestimate how difficult that is. You only have to look at the Championship in recent years to remind yourself how many clubs have fallen through the hoop and how many sets of supporters would love to be where we are now.

"We must never take that for granted and continue to commit every ounce of our energy to keeping our club in the division every club in the country wants to be in."

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