Paul Clement last night moved to cool talk of an imminent move into management – as Albion’s search for a new boss continued.

The Real Madrid coach has featured prominently in the betting to replace Oscar Garcia, who resigned more than a fortnight ago.

He has also been linked with vacant posts at West Brom and Celtic.

But, while not totally shutting the door on a summer switch, the former Chelsea, Blackburn and PSG coach hinted he would remain in his current role with the newly-crowned European champions next season.

Clement said: “Working for Real Madrid is a fantastic experience and I’m very happy here at the moment.

“My family are settled and we’d like to stay and enjoy this experience.

“But, yes, I do have ambitions to make that step at some point in the near future to be a manager.

“Right club, right time, I’d like to do it, but at the moment I’m going to enjoy the experience here. “We just have to wait and see.”

Clement would be an intriguing appointment but he has sights set on more success at the Bernabeu after helping Madrid win the Champions League and Spanish Cup.

He told talkSPORT radio: “Every day I’m working at a fantastic club – great players and we’re competing for big trophies.

“Next year we’ll play in the game against the UEFA Cup winners, we’ll play in the World Club Championship as well as competing for the other three trophies (league, cup and Champions League) again so it’s exciting.”

Albion chairman Tony Bloom and chief executive Paul Barber are talking to candidates this week and are pleased with the quality of contenders on their short list.