U21's Coaching Staff

U21's Coaching Staff

Shannon Ruth

Under-21s Head Coach

By Paul Hazlewood
Shannon Ruth.

Shannon Ruth was appointed interim-coach alongside Andrew Crofts in February 2021, following the departure of Simon Rusk to Stockport County, before taking on the role of senior professional development coach at the end of that season.

Ruth became Albion’s under-21 assistant coach in January 2018, following a spell as lead academy goalkeeping coach - a role he still oversees.

After playing football at non-league level in the Conference, Ruth began coaching with Chelsea at the age of 18, as he worked with the under-9 to under-12 goalkeepers at the club.

Head of goalkeeping roles at Aldershot and Reading followed - four years with the Royals - before joining Albion, initially as a goalkeeping coach before stepping up to be Rusk’s assistant.

Following the departure of Graham Potter, Billy Reid, Bjorn Hamberg, Bruno, Ben Roberts and Kyle Macaulay to Chelsea, Ruth made the step up to interim assistant head coach.

With Roberto De Zerbi appointing Andrew Crofts to his first team coaching staff, Ruth was promoted to under-21s head coach in September 2022.

Gary Dicker

Under-21s Professional Development Phase Coach

By Paul Hazlewood
Gary Dicker.

Gary Dicker returned to the club in July 2021 as over-age player in the under-23 squad, before calling time on his playing career and beginning work with the under-18s in January 2022.

The former midfielder made more than 150 appearances for Albion after joining in March 2009 from Stockport County. He made the move permanent in July 2009 and spent the next four seasons with the club.

After spells with Rochdale, Crawley Town and Carlisle, Dicker joined Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock in 2016, making more than 150 appearances and coaching the reserve team for four years before he was released at the end of last season.

Following Andrew Crofts's appointment as first team coach under Roberto De Zerbi, Gary Dicker made the step up to become under-21s head coach Shannon Ruth's assistant in September 2022.

Marcello Quinto

Senior Professional Development Phase Coach

By Paul Hazlewood
Marcello Quinto

Marcello was a midfielder who turned out for a number of clubs, notably playing under Roberto De Zerbi during the 2010s for Foggia.

Having brought an end to his playing career in 2020, Marcello was more recently a coach with Fiorentina’s youth team.