West Brom very grateful for decision and influence from coach Damia Abella
Chris Brunt admits he is so grateful to have Damia Abella calling the shots at the helm for Albion.
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Brunt, loans manager at the club after his retirement from playing, is the public face of the Baggies' caretaker team but Spaniard Abella is the chief tactical orchestrator and coach.
Catalan-born Abella, 42, was statistical analyst under Carlos Corberan and the only of the former head coach's immediate staff not to follow Corberan to Valencia.
It is understood Abella remained at The Hawthorns due to personal reasons - the coach has a young family - and his influence on Albion's has been significant during the interim period. Former Barcelona full-back Abella, who played nine times for the Camp Nou giants, has been a constant present in the Baggies' technical area, as he was under Corberan.
Brunt said when asked about the Spaniard's influence: "I think the lads respond really well to him. He speaks really well, he was involved a lot before with Carlos' individual meetings, he ran all of that.
"I think the lads just respond well to him. He's a good guy in the group and he's really good at his job.
"It's been great for me having him there because he's a lot more experienced at coaching than I am, with leading sessions. Tactically on the touchline he sees things very quickly and is very sharp with it."
Abella retired from playing in 2016 after two seasons at Middlesbrough in his first experience in England under compatriot Aitor Karanka.
The coach is very popular with Albion players and is acting as a vital bridge between the former regime during and what comes next.
The Baggies' staff and squad spent Tuesday night, New Year's Eve, at Birmingham's plush Park Regis hotel and socialised with staff including Spanish games with Abella until midnight. It is normal protocol for Albion to stay together the night before a game.
The interim team are likely to be in charge at Swansea on Saturday and Brunt said of Abella: "It's been good to have him around. I'm not sure how it would've been if he hadn't been here to be honest!
"He's been great and I'm delighted for everybody, it's been a whole team effort the last few days, for all staff."
