West Bromwich Albion boss Steve Clarke hopes Premier League clubs start appointing more assistant coaches for top jobs.

Clarke said he would be surprised if more clubs did not follow suit in appointing career coaches.

"We have spent a lot of hours working on our coaching badges, doing spells with the youth and reserve teams," said the West Bromwich head coach. "Clubs are now looking at that and think that we have done our time and educated ourselves properly.

"After the success of Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho, maybe they are looking at the whole education process and not just picking the name of someone who was once a good player.

"Now there are a decent number of people who have had good careers as players and have chosen a different path to educate ourselves before stepping into the hot-seat.

"Maybe we are more ready for the challenge. I'd like to think the trend will continue. In Italy you do your coaching badges. It's the same in Holland and Germany, too."