Rather than treading the same familiar managerial path, why don’t West Brom look to the success of Burnley and Watford for inspiration.
Alan Pardew arrives to work for the media ahead of the English Premier League football match between Bournemouth and Manchester City.
Alan Pardew is now the odds-on favourite with Skybet to be appointed new West Bromwich Albion manager following the sacking of Tony Pulis.
The Independent reports that the Baggies will conduct an interview with Pardew about taking the role as they are looking for someone with Premier League experience.
A dejected looking Tony Pulis during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Chelsea.
Having managed in the top flight with Charlton Athletic, Newcastle United, West Ham United and most recently Crystal Palace, the 56-year-old fits the bill and also has a close working relationship with West Brom technical director Nicky Hammond from their time spent together at Reading.
Yet with the dismissal of Pulis having been down not only to a poor run of results, but with fans becoming disillusioned with the Welshman’s stayed and boring style, is Pardew the right choice?
Along with Sam Allardyce, who was also linked with the position at the Hawthorns, and recently appointed West Ham boss David Moyes they make up a pool of managers with “Premier League experience”.
That term is used around as a positive one, but it effectively means they have been in the division for a long time, but not necessarily with prolonged success or a positive relationship with supporters.
The standout clubs from this season that West Brom should be looking to are Burnley and Watford, who are seventh and eighth respectively after strong starts. Both are managed by men who had little experience in the English top flight before the start of the campaign in comparison to the aforementioned names.
Sean Dyche, manager of Burnley, applauds supporters after the Premier League match against Swansea City.
The Clarets are Sean Dyche’s second job in the dugout, having twice brought them up from the Championship (getting relegated once in between).
Well some may argue the 46-year-old’s style of football is similar to that of Allardyce, Pulis et al, Dyche is not enjoying success because of having Premier League experience but perhaps in spite of it, as he can bring fresh ideas and push the Lancashire club beyond simply just surviving.
At Vicarage Road, Marco Silva – a largely unknown entity in English football before his appointment at Hull City in January – is implementing a slick passing system that has ambitions far loftier than avoiding the bottom three.
Rather than sticking with the same tried and tested coaches that are unlikely to instill excitement, why don’t the Baggies join the overachievers in the league and look to do some different with their appointment.
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