A single signing can have the potential to change the fortunes of a club for better or for worse, and there are a few exceptions to the law that drive to the extreme end of the spectrum, and West Brom supporters could claim that Gary Megson fits into this very restricted category.
20 YEARS TODAY: March 9, 2000. Gary Megson appointed as #WBA boss
“…We’ve got to wake up at this football club…we are in a situation where every game is critical, every point is critical & every goal is critical… We simply HAVE to stay up…”
The rest: history pic.twitter.com/uOjyb0fhKg
— FromBuzagloToBalis (@BuzagloToBalis) March 9, 2020
The former Baggies manager guided West Brom to promotion to the Premier League on two separate occasions in the early 2000s and putting the Birmingham-based club on the footballing map, with the Albion spending the majority of their time in the past two decades in the English top-flight, something Megson helped kick-start.
Will Slaven Bilic guide us back to the Premier League?
Yes
No
With the 60-year-old manager joining the club on this day 20 years ago, plenty of West Brom supporters have been taking to social media to praise Megson for what he accomplished with the Baggies, with lots of fans praising the former Sheffield Wednesday coach for being the man to take the club to the primetime of the Premier League.
Here’s what lots of West Brom fans had to say on Twitter about Megson’s time with the club…
The Messiah ❤⚽️👊
— Clifford G (@wba1957) March 9, 2020
There is no doubt in my mind that the Club’s history pivoted on the appointment of Megson and the change of Leadership at Boardroom level
— Mark Rollason (@mark_rollason) March 9, 2020
Absolutely Mark. He and Thompson two significant figures in our timeline. Transformed the club. Everything we have done since can be pegged to their period in charge
— Chris Lepkowski (@chrislepkowski) March 9, 2020
The sale of maresca was also pivotal with the funds Megson was able to bring in clement lyttle butler Santos and a certain Mr Taylor. returned.
— andy marsh (@andyforklift) March 9, 2020
Spot on! He was the right man at the right time.
— Brian Dimmock #FBPE (@Brian_Dimmock) March 9, 2020
God
— Thomas Muster (@TAT27) March 9, 2020
Megson returned to West Brom briefly in 2017 as caretaker manager following the sacking of Tony Pulis.