With West Bromwich Albion’s new head coach search properly underway now given our Championship Play-Off Semi-Final disappointment, there seem to be plenty of names in the fray, and I did think the reference to Northern Ireland international manager Michael O’Neill was an interesting one.
The former player only has club management experience from time spent with Brechin City and Shamrock Rovers but he was appointed to the international stage back in 2011 and in fairness to him, he’s done a good job in my humble opinion but his pragmatic style of play isn’t welcomed by everyone.
How that would translate to the Championship and an undoubted aim to continue to try and return to the Premier League is anyone’s guess and West Brom fans have been burnt by pragmatic styles of play previously given Tony Pulis’ time in charge, to name just one.
It certainly sparked an interesting response from fans as they took to social media after hearing the news.
Absolute farce..clubs a disgrace
— Craig Dutton (@cdutts) May 20, 2019
Absolutely a no no, if that’s the best they can come up with after 4 months god help us.
— Baggies21 (@Baggies21) May 20, 2019
Always say I'll back anyone who's appointed even if wasn't something I'd do.
I would not back this one, it makes zero sense whatsoever, he has no real club football background, Northern Ireland play pulis ball. Would split fan base all over again
— stephen mackenzie (@baggie_boy) May 21, 2019
They said we need a manager to work on a budget, find lower league gems and young players? So we consider Michael O’Neil who doesn’t manage a club or know many players in the lower leagues? ????????
— Mark Colley (@MarkColley62) May 20, 2019
Unbelievable! How to alienate fans as quickly as possible ????
— Rich Field (@Rich10Field) May 20, 2019
Let's hope he doesn't get past the first interview stage . Really would be a poor scraping the barrel choice. The same manager who told Johnny Evans he would be better off leaving West Bromwich Albion.
— Richard Downing (@rjdowning) May 20, 2019
Going for the cheap option again, he'll be a yes man. Guessing Hughton and others won't accept the transfer restrictions.
— Dominic Cox (@Dominic_s_Cox) May 20, 2019
Brighton appoint Potter within a week. 4 months and we just start the process. Absolute joke and if this is the calibre if candidates we are doomed
— Rod Coley (@rod_coley) May 20, 2019