1

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Next Head Coach Thread

« on: January 15, 2025, 03:59:27 PM »

No Head Coach gets total control on transfers like they may have done 20 years ago. However nor do they get presented with a disparate collection of players, they will have some input into the recruitment process. How much will vary from Coach to Coach and club to club.  I suspect that our Head Coach will get an input as to what we need to recruit but ultimately a limited say in who is recruited.

I suspect the bigger issue for most perspective coach's is that the squad will have to be rebuilt on a tight budget and it won't be possible to retain the better players from one season to the next.

I'm not talking about total control Stan, CC certainly had an input with player recruitment, but the tone from the media, seems to suggest that Andrew Nestor would like to take this head coach selection opportunity to move the control ratio more in his favour.
In my opinion Nestor is wanting to change the job description to replicate the continental model, where they do tend to get presented with a disperate collection of players. Again in my opinion, that's what made Wicky an attractive candidate.
I believe Tony Mowbray will certainly want an input, if that's who becomes our next coach.

Not your comment, I know, but football is exactly like any other business. Most progressive clubs (including ours) are using data to negate the risks, because the rewards are huge.

2

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Next Head Coach Thread

« on: January 15, 2025, 01:32:32 PM »

I don't think this is an instance where getting a boss in before deciding on who to sign is a major factor.

It sounds like Bilkul have their targets and the new boss will be expected to work with what they are given to some extent.

Would be nice of course though if everyone wanted the same target.

I don't know what you do for a living Gaz, but you sound as though you have a responsible position, so I'll ask you this question.

You are given a choice of two jobs, both which involves leading a team to hit a performance target. One job lets you chose your team members, the other doesn't. Which job are you going to chose?

3

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Next Head Coach Thread

« on: January 15, 2025, 01:26:39 PM »

My view is that we had a relatively unique set of circumstances befall us. Most Clubs know in advance that they are going to ditch their Manager and start looking for replacements with focus and have set things up prior to departure.
 Our ex- Gaffer left for probably the only job that could possibly have taken him away. his home town Club and a massive Club at that, in comparison.
My view is that Bikul were convinced that  Corberan had both bought into the long -term project and perhaps understandably  led to some complacency in having a plan B.
The Wicky debacle however seems extremely suspicious with hindsight and no transparency forthcoming. I don't  buy the ' assistants can't come ' excuse. I think either  someone somewhere did not prepare properly whether us or more likely Wicky himself or Wicky got cold feet seeing the limitations of the task ahead. Either way I somehow feel we dodged a bullet.
We are a big enough Club to attract a high standard of Coach, but in our current state that Coach has to have incredible self-belief, something I believe CC had in spades. As it stands we have an outside chance of promotion, but those odds have gone a tad south with Majas' injury.
 I do not think that Bikul have spectacularly failed, but if they rush an appointment now it will be the wrong move. They have been given some breathing room in a sense, with the option of TM as a sound plan B. A Club statement on the Wicky fiasco would help though.

If Bikul are as professional as claimed, professional business people don't do complacent, the buz phrase is "what if".

According to reports in E & S this morning, Hake had been told he hadn't got the job, if that's correct, we couldn't go back to our second or third choice.

It's a while now since my recruiting days, but every one on your short list should be capable, you then go on to chose the best fit. What you don't do is close the door on your short list until contracts have been signed.

I appreciate that almost all of the information being published by both main stream & social media is noise, but I'm not convinced the whole management team are on the same page.

I tend to shy away from adverbs like spectacularly, but if Bilkul were trying to sell me something, I think I'd be a bit nervous right now.

4

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Next Head Coach Thread

« on: January 11, 2025, 11:40:52 AM »

I will always support this club, including whoever they choose as Head Coach/Manager (initially at least).
I have to say I am extremely underwhelmed with the apparent choice.
The period of time taken over this appointment has been sufficient to examine the credentials of many potential people experienced in English football at the level that we are currently playing as well as the level that we aspire to.
It would be helpful to our loyal supporters, if we had some names of candidates with such experience that were actually considered to be good enough to be interviewed.
I do not buy into the notion that x,y and z blokes have no desire to manage this great club

I'm not sure that anyone has said that prospective head coaches "have no desire to manage this great club".

I believe we did approach Tony Mowbray for talks, but TM declined for health reasons, Lee Carsley was alleged to have said he was not ready for Club Football yet &, I belive it was Russel Martin who said he didn't want to work in a continental style model.

In my opinion, a number of prospective head coaches with English backgrounds would find it difficult to operate in a Nestor/Continental model.
It appears that Nestor has found a coach with continental experience who he considers would be capable of delivering his vision. To be fair, Wicky, as an experienced continental coach, has a far better chance of success than trying to shoe horn a reluctant coach with an English background.

5

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Next Head Coach Thread

« on: January 09, 2025, 08:29:11 AM »

The issue with that, is we can only judge a manager after 10+ games, maybe even more to account for "it not being their squad", or "they need time to have the players adapt" or whatever else you (not actually you) want to say depending on if you are pro or anti the new person.

Football is chaotic and so you have to have good processes in place, and acknowledge sometimes even when you do everything right, it goes wrong. But if you have the correct processes then hopefully you give yourself the best chance of things going right.

I would argue if we take too long then it suggests a problem in the decision-making process. Either we were unprepared for CC going, or we are being indecisive, or there is an internal power-struggle between Nestor and Pearce.

Or, it's difficult to find someone who will operate in a Nestor/Continental style model.

6

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Next Head Coach Thread

« on: January 04, 2025, 11:46:23 AM »

I feel people need to think about, who ever does come in as our next HEAD Coach, will have very little influence in our transfer business.  Now or in Summer!!!

Carlos had a bit of input as he was here before Nestor but...


So most of the names thrown around will not work where they are not in charge of the squad building, putting their stamp on the squad etc etc.

I agree it restricts the choices in England, which means that the likely source could have experience working in the European HC model, but no English experience.
That, in turn, tends to negate the argument against the Abella appointment.
Abella, not only has some English experience, but, having worked with our current squad, would also give some continuity.

7

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: WBA NEW OWNERS - Bilkul football

« on: January 02, 2025, 03:38:32 PM »

In cinema so I'll be brief while adverts are on.

Outgoing - no issues with it, the rubbish was disposed of.

Incomings - Hit and miss but the ones that seem failures for me are Dobbins and Racic, both loans and relatively low cost. They won't kill the club

The permanent deals a success overall. MJ, Styles Diakite and Heggem all good players at this level and if we sold all 4 we would turn a profit


As for number 2 I really couldn't say either way.


What are your views on Bilkuls work so far?

Not sure about Nestor.

Comments from respected members of this forum suggest that he has the "football cultural" expertise in addition to his undoubted knowledge about finance. I'm not so sure.
In addition to Dobbin & Racic, Frabotta hasn't been a huge success, & some would question Mason Holgate.

As far as the new Head Coach is concerned, there is enough evidence to suggest that Nestor is basing his search on a HC who will have to work with players selected by him (Nestor).
I find it difficult to see how a HC with any pedigree, (who is ultimately going to be judged on performance) will agree with those conditions. Perhaps that's why the search has been unsuccessful so far.

8

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: WBA NEW OWNERS - Bilkul football

« on: January 02, 2025, 12:10:39 PM »

Happy new year message from Shilen

"I’ll always remember 2024 as the year that I joined the Albion family. Every new year is a fresh chance for growth and to build on what has come before, and we will all be doing our best to make 2025 a year where @WBA honors its legacy and drives towards a brighter future.  #COYB"


Thanks for saving our club from Lai. It's not going to be easy but I think the futures looking brighter than most fans do.

How do you think our DoF is performing?

Re; 1 - Incoming & outgoing players
      2 - search & job specification for new head coach.

9

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Daryl Dike

« on: December 31, 2024, 12:16:28 PM »

Genuinely wouldn’t even dream of playing him before Oxford. I’m sure the same initial story said the reserves don’t play until around the 10th and suggested he could be seen there  but even that seems tight. We also know from experience how high risk he is for muscle injuries.

I really hope he can come back to some sort of decent level but I’d be amazed if he’s not on the treatment table for lengthy periods of whatever career he has left.

Bit of a conundrum at board level he does comes back strong, at the end of the season as he’s got 12months left. Do you give him a new contract or sell

I'd try to sell, but I'm not sure who would take the risk, Absolutely wouldn't give him another contract.

10

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Carlos Corberan (Deal agreed in principle to leave for Valencia)

« on: December 28, 2024, 12:22:39 PM »

Nestor could have made it impossible for him to stay; there's more than one way to get rid of someone who won't fit, especially if he was interfering in areas that Corberan was used to having complete control.  So it's a new regime now.

I agree, there does seem to have been some friction between Nestor & CC.
Wouldn't be at all surprised if a conversation along the lines of "we've had an enquiry from Valencia which you might want to follow up" took place.

11

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: System / Tactics / Personnel

« on: December 28, 2024, 11:41:38 AM »

In CC own words he said chose to sign Cole over a younger, hungrier striker as he (Cole) wouldn't complain about not playing as much so based on that i'd say the person has gone.

For 3rd choice striker and with not much funds available for them, i do get that we have to choose between a young, unproven player or an experienced pro that's past it or not that great.

Problem is, it's now all on Maja who looks knackered and understandably so.

This is a quote from the E&S

Speaking to the Express & Star [15 October], Corberan explained: “It’s true we didn’t sign [Cole] with the expectation to be the first XI number nine. We signed him with the possibility to be a good option as a number nine.

“I like the possibility to bring him, and possibly not another younger player because he has enough maturity to understand that sometimes if the number nine is competing well, then he is probably not going to have the minutes he would like.

Not quite the same as "wouldn't complain about not playing as much".

Also the we would suggest that head coach is now part of the decision making process as opposed to leading it, & as the player wasn't key, was willing to accede to the DoF.

Birmingham Mail, E&S, & a number of respected posters on this forum have all pointed out that the operating model had changed to DoF led with the appointment of Andrew Nestor

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: System / Tactics / Personnel

« on: December 28, 2024, 11:11:29 AM »

One has to question the wisdom of signing someone to be 3rd choice striker because they are older and won't complain, over someone young and hungry especially now that person is gone. Thankfully this deal won't have broken the bank but it certainly seems like a waste of time for all except Cole.

That's assuming the person who signed Cole has gone?

13

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Next Head Coach Thread

« on: December 27, 2024, 12:58:53 PM »

I think we should avoid a short-term interim appointment if we possibly can. We are not in immediate danger of relegation, so we can and should plan for the future. These 'steady the ship' interim appointments justs waste more time after the upheavel from losing Corberan. Reminds me too much of the Steve Bruce appointment.

I believe the "plan for the future" model now pivots around the Director of Football, as a shareholder, Nestor is a fixture, everyone else in the structure is disposable.
Personally, I think Moyes would be a good appointment, not sure if he would work in a structure where his say on players is limited though.

14

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Next Head Coach Thread

« on: December 26, 2024, 10:41:50 AM »

If, as has been suggested, the next coach will be coaching players chosen by Nestor, it will be interesting to see how that works.

15

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: THE ALBION ASSEMBLY - PLEASE READ

« on: December 11, 2024, 04:24:46 PM »

McDonough was supposed to provide the 'technical' input but putting it politely things didn't go as planned.

Garlick left in 2018 to become the Premier League's first Director of Football.

What I meant to say was Garlick was part of the restructure following the Ashworth move.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: THE ALBION ASSEMBLY - PLEASE READ

« on: December 11, 2024, 11:44:21 AM »

He had that Italian geriatric geezer alongside didnt he?  (Tracheoctemi or summat similar)

From recollection, Ashworth joined the FA at the same time as Roy Hodgson became England Manager. I believe Garlick was part of that move. It all got a bit muddy after that, so I couldn't say. 

17

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: THE ALBION ASSEMBLY - PLEASE READ

« on: December 11, 2024, 10:59:55 AM »

Kind of? He was a good admin guy who at some point ended up as our DOF but it was never his wheelhouse

Garlick has a legal background & was responsible for compiling & negotiating contracts, he worked in conjunction with Dan Ashworth, both reporting to Jeremy Peace.
From a structural point of view, it made sense to give Garlick the DoF position after Ashworth left, but to make it work, he needed some "technical" input. With that lacking, I believe he found the position difficult.

18

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Carlos Corberan

« on: December 09, 2024, 11:22:59 AM »

I’d rather Maja and Johnston stayed on, it was the 85th minute so does that 9 minutes give them more rest? That aside, it was great to see Wallace stay on the bench.

I'm not sure that "rest" is the objective.

When the oppposition have been "marking" a player for 85 minutes they start to get comfortable, bringing on another player blindsides them for a few minutes, giving us an advantage.

19

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Pre Match Chat

« on: November 10, 2024, 12:52:04 PM »

Its on the red button I just tried it and it works, Sky sports football then red button.

ok, thanks

20

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Pre Match Chat

« on: November 10, 2024, 12:41:36 PM »

Just checked and no longer listed on sky sports plus

Edit - SSN website saying it is on. Confusing

Just found out, you can only get it on the Sky Sports + app

21

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Carlos Corberan

« on: November 02, 2024, 11:47:31 AM »

By mistake I started  a post in the aftermatch debate of the Cardiff match but as the Administrater has not moved it there have been no comments despite 93 views.
 The subject was poor use of free kicks and corners.Yesterday against Luton in the forty second minute we had a free kick a couple of yards inside our own and after 2 kicks it was back with Palmer rather than in Luton's half.
 Why doesn't Carlos ban this utter waste of a good position?

I can see why the ball was routed back to Palmer
A launch forward direct from a free kick way out from goal is pretty predictable, routing it back to Palmer gives the players time to move the opposition around, however..........
Palmer's distribution yesterday was dreadful.

22

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Season tickets

« on: August 20, 2024, 06:19:27 PM »

Isn’t that a bit self defeating of the stated aim especially as in most cases it would only leave a couple of days for people to add their tickets and people to buy them ?

From the FAQ Section on the official site

Why can’t I see any games for sale on the Ticket Exchange platform?

Tickets will only appear for sale on the platform once the Club has made the game available for resell. This will be once the majority of General Admission (GA) tickets have been sold and the stadium is close to a sellout.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Season tickets

« on: August 20, 2024, 03:11:18 PM »

I’ve been trying that but when the page comes up there’s nowhere to add the tkt ! I heard several round me moaning about it on Saturday but that was to do with buying a tkt !

I think it only goes live when all the non season ticket seats are sold.

24

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: New Sporting Director - Andrew Nestor

« on: August 16, 2024, 11:54:27 AM »

Apologies John you're quite correct. I misremembered a headline in the Express and Dump from an article I didn't read last month. Can't attach the whole article as I don't have full access.

Sincerely hope you didn't waste too much of your morning going through the listings on Companies House on my behalf. Cheers very much if you did though, appreciated  .

https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/west-bromwich-albion/2024/07/05/directors-andrew-nestor-and-ashish-patel-confirmed-on-board-of-west-brom-owners-bilkul/

Directors Andrew Nestor and Ashish Patel confirmed on board of West Brom owners Bilkul

July 5th 2024

Investor Andrew Nestor and Ashish Patel have been confirmed as directors at Bilkul Football WBA, Albion's ownership group.

The duo are partners of Baggies owner and chairman Shilen Patel, whose group Bilkul completed a majority purchase of the club from Guochuan Lai in late February this year.

Their roles were published on the EFL's public register of directors last weekend. The list essentially confirms the passing of the owners' and directors' test (OADT). Those tests were passed by the Patel cousins and Nestor around the time of the takeover. Managing director Mark Miles sat his test in 2018 in his role as a director.

The listings show Nestor, an American investor, and Ashish Patel, Shilen's cousin, as directors at Bilkul board level and not at football club or West Bromwich Albion Group, the club's parent company, level. There is no change at club and Group level.

Wasn't aimed specifically at you Dan, it's just your comment gave me an opportunity to make a counter comment.

Only a personal opinion, but I don't see Andrew Nestor becoming too involved in the day to day running of WBAFC. I think the role will be stategic & far broader than the "Director of Football" model that we visualise.

From a marketing aspect, I think his end game will be to inprove the West Bromwich Albion FC product, & then sell it's franchaise globally. In much the same way as the owners of BCFC are doing.

Here is a Forbes article about Joey Saputo, the owner & Chairman of Bolognia.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/danieleproch/2023/11/10/joey-saputo-opens-up-about-past-present-and-future-at-bologna-fc/

The Challenge of Running An Italian Soccer Club
Renato dall'Ara Bologna
A view of stadium Renato Dall'Ara during Bologna FC's home match in Serie A - BOLOGNA, ITALYBologna FC

Eight years at the helm of a Serie A club has led Saputo to draw one key lesson about Italian soccer.

“Absolute sustainability is still far away,” he said

Most of the issues he has encountered seem familiar.

Saputo, a Canadian business man is worth around 4.3 billion dollars.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: New Sporting Director - Andrew Nestor

« on: August 16, 2024, 10:45:09 AM »

Interesting. Andrew Nestor and Ashish Patel were confirmed as board members in early July. Feet under the table, get up to speed with all things Albion and off we go. I wonder what Ashish's title's going to be.

From Companies House data, neither are company directors of any of the West Bromwich Albion Companies.

Both are "directors" or the American equivilent of Bilkul Football.

I'm not sure that either need to be company directors to fulfil their roles, I interpret Andrew Nestor's role as strategic. IE introducing systems & policies to develop all aspects of the West Bromwich Albion franchaise.
The biggest opportunity for growth is  in Womens football, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see increased activity in that area longer term.
At the moment, it looks as though he has a brief to stabilize West Bromwich Albion FC men's team.