Dan Ashworth will do what he can to “support and encourage” first team boss Chris Hughton.

But that is as far as their working relationship will extend when the new technical director arrives at Albion next year.

Chief executive Paul Barber said: “Chris doesn’t report to Dan, he carries on reporting to me.

“Dan’s influence on the first team is what it should be.

“It’s a supporting role, it’s an encouragement role, it’s not a direct boss role.

“That was something very important that we established right from the start.”

Barber does not see Ashworth going into areas under his remit – medical, recruitment and academy – and making dramatic changes.

Certainly not until he has had a good look at how things work.

He said: “Dan Ashworth’s influence on the departments he is responsible for will evolve.

“He isn’t going to come in with preconceived ideas.

“He will talk to people and see them in their environment and then start gently to have an influence.

“He is not coming in with any pre-determined list because we feel things have been working pretty well.

“He wants to have a good look before he starts influencing things.”