Shane Long issues Keith Downing, Dean Kiely apology

Shane Long has apologised to assistant manager Keith Downing and Dean Kiely for failing to continue their impressive record in caretaker charge at West Bromwich Albion.

The duo's temporary reign in charge at The Hawthorns was ended with a 1-0 defeat to Southampton on Saturday, as new boss Pepe Mel watched on from the stands.

"Keith Downing and Dean Kiely did a great job in a short time," striker Long told reporters. "They took over when confidence was low.

"We knew we had the players but we had not been playing well and in fairness to him he got it out of us.

"It would have been nice to have ended his spell with a win to thank him for his efforts. It was a frustrating match for us."

The loss was Downing's only defeat in the five Premier League games he took charge of as Albion caretaker boss.