Source: Daily_Mail
Chris Hughton is pleasant enough, but West Brom should have appointed from within - The Midlander
Any football club's decision to appoint a new manager is governed often by nothing more than circumstance.[LNB]Unless you are one of the game's true big-hitters capable of riding roughshod over Premier League protocol, (as if such a thing exists) then your choices are finite.[LNB]West Bromwich Albion, decent club with a fine heritage, did have - indeed still do have - sufficient clout to attract some good candidates for the position of head coach.[LNB] Back in business: Chris Hughton[LNB]It looks likely as I pen this that Chris Hughton will be given the chance to take on the role. But is that the wisest course of action?[LNB]However, before we delve deeper as to the ins and outs of the recruitment process, let's clear up Roberto di Matteo's exit.[LNB]It had come to my own personal attention that all was not well before the Blackpool game. However, out of edition time and with a narrow victory on the day, I assumed the former Italian international had earned himself a reprieve.[LNB]It was a poor result at Manchester City but was the timing deliberate? Or was it simply pure co-incidence that RDM should be on his way within a week of the transfer window closing?[LNB] Did he really deserve to go? Di Matteo's last match in charge was against Manchester City last Saturday[LNB]I know there was disquiet at several levels inside the club about the manner in which Di Matteo operated. He didn't watch many reserve matches, scout opponents or players, according to the criticism.[LNB]Fine.Fair point. But what then does the Director of Football do? Take theplaudits when things are going well and hide when they go badly?[LNB]If you are running the show, though,I suppose it is like any relationship. If you feel it is wrong and areunhappy, you would do something about it, wouldn't you? That's JeremyPeace's prerogative as owner after all.[LNB] It was going so well: West Brom players celebrate a goal against West Ham back in November[LNB]Tothat end, the indignation from Richard Bevan of the League Managers'Association would carry far more weight had not some of his own membersin the past been accused of talking to clubs where, on the face of it,no vacancy existed. (Though I am not alleging any wrong-doing here).[LNB]Uponreturning to the point made at the start then, I don't quite understandthe desperate need to rush headlong into another relationshipimmediately. Unless, of course, the club is worried about a supporterbacklash this weekend and is consequently trying to deflect criticismaway from itself.[LNB]So, why not save yourself a few quidand appoint from within? The list of candidates - the not-so-happycircumstance above - isn't overwhelming, and I'd have given MichaelAppleton more of a chance.[LNB]Surely he deserves a chance: Michael Appleton[LNB]He is highly-regarded - very highly-regarded, in fact. Unlike Kevin MacDonald at Villa, an outstanding coach whose dithering cost him the chance to take over from Martin O'Neill, Appleton has been right up for this.[LNB]He wants it. Badly. He could havedone himself a power of good too, with two winnable home fixturescoming up. (I'm writing from a WBA perspective here, not my own).[LNB]Victories over West Ham and Wolveswould have left them needing three more from ten to reach the 41-pointmark and probable safety. If not, well then another decision would needto be taken.[LNB]Hughton's win ratio is as near as dammit the same as Di Matteo's. You know, pleasant bloke and all the rest, but are his achievements to date any greater than those of the former Baggies boss?[LNB]Hedid pull together a club in Newcastle that was at sixes and sevens.But, let's not forget, the prohibitive wages of some players - likeKevin Nolan and Joey Barton - meant that predators were scared off.[LNB]It depends how highly you rate his work against that backdrop as to whether you feel he has done a decent job.[LNB] Were it my choice, I'd have gone for Appleton. Along with Derek McInnes. Albion men who wouldn't see this as a stepping-stone.[LNB]Roy Hodgson was a more than credible candidate. On interviewing Giles Barnes a couple of years ago, the thing that stuck was the winger's praise for Hodgson's ability as a coach. Hodgson may think he is a bigger catch. I'm not so sure, domestically, that he is. Liverpool must have been a chastening experience.[LNB]As it is, we are here. Saturday against the Hammers. Irrespective of the outcome, I can't help but think we will be here again in two years' time.[LNB]And that, sadly, pretty much says it all about West Brom.[LNB] Sacked Newcastle manager Hughton set to bounce back with Baggies West Brom decline contract talks with Thomas due to relegation worries[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Martin O'Neill, Chris Hughton, Roberto Di Matteo, Roy Hodgson, Joey Barton Places: Newcastle, Liverpool
