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Who would you prefer as next Manager?

Sean Dyche
Cooper, Steve
Lijnders, Pep
O'Neil, Gary
Schumacher, Steven
Tudor, Igor
Eustace, John
Grosso, Fabio
Fischer, Urs
Hake, Rene
Mowbray, Tony

Author Topic: Next Head Coach Thread  (Read 91164 times)

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TAFKATMNo1Fan

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Re: Next Head Coach Thread
« Reply #1125 on: January 10, 2025, 04:02:08 PM »
Can we expect a more attacking philosophy that's the question

HampshireBaggie

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Re: Next Head Coach Thread
« Reply #1126 on: January 10, 2025, 04:05:24 PM »
Interesting Percy says the 3 are Wicky, Heitinga and Hake. Maybe Heitinga not so out of the race as previously thought.

robnewbold

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Re: Next Head Coach Thread
« Reply #1127 on: January 10, 2025, 04:06:51 PM »
Heitinga or Wicky for me.

TheBaggieMan

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Re: Next Head Coach Thread
« Reply #1128 on: January 10, 2025, 04:07:16 PM »
Speaks better English than me  ;D

Oi think itz grate ay it! Bet ‘e dunna spake Black Countrie though!   😂
One bonus if it is Wicky is that I for one will fully understand what he’s saying unlike the heavily accented Corberan! 
I often wondered if all the players fully understood what he was saying.
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WBArgo

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Re: Next Head Coach Thread
« Reply #1129 on: January 10, 2025, 04:20:34 PM »
Seems a more interesting candidate than Hake at least, which really would have been scraping the bottom of the barrel, but its hard to put his career into context.

At least at Basel, the season before he came in they won the league, but finished 2nd with him - having won the league 8 times in a row - and then he was sacked, though they haven't won the league in the 6 seasons after he left and indeed got progressively worse so hard to contextualise that.

At Chicago he seems to have just done flat out bad, though it seems they pretty much always do badly.

At Young Boys he won the league his first season and had them top when he was sacked, having finished 3rd the season before he came (though they did win the league 4 years in a row prior to that season. This season they are currently in 9th so doing very poorly.

So a mixed bag but at least with some good successes also in his last job, which is probably as good as we're going to get from the names left available.

In fairness, Corberan did badly at Olympiacos. I'd much rather have Wicky than Hake. It will be interesting to see how he tried 4-4-2 though with our lack of options beyond Maja and Grant doing well on the wing this season.

gazberg

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Re: Next Head Coach Thread
« Reply #1130 on: January 10, 2025, 04:22:09 PM »
The article i read about his time at Chicago said he didn't have a chance really, it's a basket case club, not many managers do well etc etc

liverbaggie

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Re: Next Head Coach Thread
« Reply #1131 on: January 10, 2025, 04:24:08 PM »
If it turns out to be Hake,I hope he casts his nets very wide!

robnewbold

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Re: Next Head Coach Thread
« Reply #1132 on: January 10, 2025, 04:25:24 PM »
WICKY, WICKY,WICKY, OI, OI OI!

gazberg

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Re: Next Head Coach Thread
« Reply #1133 on: January 10, 2025, 04:32:04 PM »
Alex Crook ??🎙
@alex_crook


Looking like Raphael Wicky will be the new #WBA boss. As well as Rene Hake, I understand the Baggies also spoke to former manager Tony Mowbray but he did not see this as the right job to return to @talkSPORT#

Thanks Tony!

Hopefully his health improves in all seriousness.
« Last Edit: January 10, 2025, 04:34:21 PM by gazberg »

timdon

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Re: Next Head Coach Thread
« Reply #1134 on: January 10, 2025, 04:43:42 PM »
Alex Crook ??🎙
@alex_crook


Looking like Raphael Wicky will be the new #WBA boss. As well as Rene Hake, I understand the Baggies also spoke to former manager Tony Mowbray but he did not see this as the right job to return to @talkSPORT#

Thanks Tony!

Hopefully his health improves in all seriousness.
It's Talk *****!! I think the actual reason that I saw originally posted was that because of his health, he didn't think now was the right time to take up a new post, period. The implication that TS have put on it that he didn't much like us is just their usual nonsense.
« Last Edit: January 11, 2025, 08:31:38 AM by LiamTheBaggie »

ReynoWBA

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Re: Next Head Coach Thread
« Reply #1135 on: January 10, 2025, 04:51:51 PM »
In reality it has only been a week yes Football doesn't switch off but Secretary's, People who do the behind the scenes stuff that play a smaller role would have only returned to work this week, so in reality it has been a week to actually get this done, West Ham can't be compared nor Wolves as both had wanted to sack there managers before they did, yes we could have prepared to lose CC but Agents do things all the time maybe to get there client a better deal or better conditions, considering Carlos had turned down Southampton and Wolves we probably thought he would stay. We then had to negotiate Compensation with Valencia before we could start our search, presumably we were waiting for the money to hit our account before we pressed ahead

Whoever the new manager is I back them and welcome them to the Albion

As long as we try and attack teams the fans will support him......we've put up with god awful side to side for a long time. Its boring to watch.............two up top is unheard of at most clubs now so if we do start playing two up top that will be interesting.

gazberg

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Re: Next Head Coach Thread
« Reply #1136 on: January 10, 2025, 04:58:29 PM »
It's Talk *****!! I think the actual reason that I saw originally posted was that because of his health, he didn't think now was the right time to take up a new post, period. The implication that TS have put on it that he didn't much like us is just their usual nonsense.

Yeah they love hinting at anything really.

Here's a more reasoned version, from someone (who in his bio) apparently also works for Talksport from time to time


Charlie Haffenden
@JournoHaff

Told West Brom spoke to Tony Mowbray over vacant managerial position this week. He was flattered but feels it wasn’t the right time due to his recent health concerns. #WBA have interviewed several alternatives.
« Last Edit: January 11, 2025, 08:32:23 AM by LiamTheBaggie »

Standaman

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Re: Next Head Coach Thread
« Reply #1137 on: January 10, 2025, 05:04:45 PM »
I find it amazing how hypercritical posters are regarding our potential coaches. Wicky has a record of winning cups and titles with two of the bigger clubs in Switzerland which in coaching terms is a little bit "so what". Whereas he didn't do anything much at Chicago Fire a club which is perpetually mediocre and that is a "failure" although he got them within a point of the play-offs which might be as good as anyone has done with Chicago Barely Smouldering.

Getting something out of a squad without a talent advantage it might be argued is better and more relevant to the circumstances he will find at the Hawthorns.
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timdon

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Re: Next Head Coach Thread
« Reply #1138 on: January 10, 2025, 05:20:48 PM »
Yeah they love hinting at anything really.

Here's a more reasoned version, from someone (who in his bio) apparently also works for Talksport from time to time


Charlie Haffenden
@JournoHaff

Told West Brom spoke to Tony Mowbray over vacant managerial position this week. He was flattered but feels it wasn’t the right time due to his recent health concerns. #WBA have interviewed several alternatives.
Yeah, that's similar to the thing I read, but I couldn't find the link. Thanks for the clarification. I thought it was strange, because I've never heard Tony Mowbray say anything disrespectful about our club.

johnny Cash

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Re: Next Head Coach Thread
« Reply #1139 on: January 10, 2025, 05:22:27 PM »
I find it amazing how hypercritical posters are regarding our potential coaches. Wicky has a record of winning cups and titles with two of the bigger clubs in Switzerland which in coaching terms is a little bit "so what". Whereas he didn't do anything much at Chicago Fire a club which is perpetually mediocre and that is a "failure" although he got them within a point of the play-offs which might be as good as anyone has done with Chicago Barely Smouldering.

Getting something out of a squad without a talent advantage it might be argued is better and more relevant to the circumstances he will find at the Hawthorns.

1 point from the play offs in the MLS is rightly dismissed in my opinion because of the way the MLS is structured and it lacks context. 1 point from the play offs was actually 11th in a 15th team league with 23 points. The season before they finished 8th with 42 points but that seems to be before an increase in the league size and when 7th was required for the play offs.

Edit - It was the Covid year.  I don't know how you factor that in to everything (maybe they'd have improved, maybe not)  but it does seem to be why 11th put them near the play offs as it seems the structure was changed. The two years after it was top 7 for play offs.

.




« Last Edit: January 10, 2025, 05:33:22 PM by johnny Cash »

caravanc58

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Re: Next Head Coach Thread
« Reply #1140 on: January 10, 2025, 05:27:25 PM »
I'm pleased that they contacted Mowbray, shows they are casting the net not only abroad but at home talent aswel. Don't think it's too far away now when the new gaffers announced.
I like the fact they haven't rushed into it because there was no need to.

alex1

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Re: Next Head Coach Thread
« Reply #1141 on: January 10, 2025, 05:30:32 PM »
Interesting Percy says the 3 are Wicky, Heitinga and Hake. Maybe Heitinga not so out of the race as previously thought.
Still hoping its Heitinga, but I could live with Wicky. He seems passionate, judging from the short clip, and I hope he has an attacking mindset and his tactical analysis is good. Believe me, far far worse names have been mentioned on this forum.
« Last Edit: January 10, 2025, 06:01:57 PM by alex1 »
Einstein: A definition of insanity- someone who takes the same action time after time, even though previously it's always ended in failure

Fritzl Palace

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Re: Next Head Coach Thread
« Reply #1142 on: January 10, 2025, 05:39:55 PM »
Happier with this than Hake if it is to be Wicky

Blowee

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Re: Next Head Coach Thread
« Reply #1143 on: January 10, 2025, 05:42:25 PM »
Ever since the Wicky Leak he’s been the most intriguing for me.

BagAlbion123

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Re: Next Head Coach Thread
« Reply #1144 on: January 10, 2025, 07:14:57 PM »

gazberg

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Re: Next Head Coach Thread
« Reply #1145 on: January 10, 2025, 07:19:23 PM »
Here is the article i read earlier this week about his time at Chicago fire. 

https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2021/9/30/22701956/raphael-wicky-out-as-chicago-fire-head-coach



"After nearly two seasons on the job, Raphael Wicky was fired late Wednesday night as head coach of the Chicago Fire, sources confirmed to Hot Time in Old Town. His firing came shortly after a 2-0 win over New York City FC.

Frank Klopas will take over as interim manager for the remainder of the 2021 season.

Wicky took the fall for a second straight losing season—his Fire were 7-15-6 in 2021, with just one win on the road, on the verge of missing the playoffs yet again. But, Wicky’s failure wasn’t entirely his fault. He was given an incomplete roster to start the 2020 season, most of which was carried over to 2021 in an effort to build “continuity” by sporting director Georg Heitz. In Robert Beri?, Gastón Giménez, and Ignacio Aliseda, Wicky was saddled with three of the weakest designated players in Major League Soccer. When it was clear there were roster holes heading into the 2021 season, the team signed more unproven prospects like Chinonso Offor and Jhon Espinoza, and let go of productive veterans like CJ Sapong and Djordje Mihailovic in the process. Wicky publicly said all the right things, but privately there were rumors he was very displeased with what he was handed. How could he not be?

Yes, Wicky himself was young, unproven, and made plenty of mistakes. And yes, it seemed, at times, he didn’t have control of his fractured group. But it’s doubtful any head coach could have consistently won with this roster. In many ways, Wicky was set up to fail.


When his Fire teams were clicking, they were capable of playing beautiful, free flowing, attacking football. But those games were far too few during his time as head coach. In pro sports, the coach is always the first one to take the fall. This move had to happen, but the Fire can’t expect the next guy to have better results without a hardcore roster revamp in the off season.

TyrusRose, the Fire insider Twitter account, first dropped the news that Wicky was out on Twitter, before the first ball was even kicked Wednesday night. Tyrus floated the idea of Bob Bradley as the next head coach. Bradley, who is likely leaving LAFC after the season, would be perfect. He knows the game and the league inside and out, and in his first stint in Chicago he guided the Fire to an MLS Cup. But it’s hard to believe he would come back to Chicago for any amount of money without knowing he had control over the roster, especially after what we’ve seen the last two seasons.

As for Wicky, there’s no telling what’s next. Wherever he lands, it should go better than it did here."

Baggies

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Re: Next Head Coach Thread
« Reply #1146 on: January 10, 2025, 07:55:22 PM »
It's hard to judge any of the 3 main candidates who seem to be in the running for the job as their records are all at leagues with less exposure in the English sports broadcasting market/media. They are however all a sign of a club casting their net a bit further, which can only be a positive.

If it is Wicky, then he is an interesting enough hire. The test here is a lot different to Basel and Young Boys, and its always hard to judge managers at clubs who were always set to win titles anyway (ala Celtic), so this will be something a bit different.

It's not just another managet off the merry go round though, ala the latter Peace and Lai days.
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Re: Next Head Coach Thread
« Reply #1147 on: January 10, 2025, 07:55:39 PM »
Wicky for me.

He looks and sounds like he’s a serious football fella.


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Re: Next Head Coach Thread
« Reply #1148 on: January 10, 2025, 09:20:37 PM »
From the E&D

https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/2025/01/10/raphael-wicky-leading-race-for-west-brom-job-after-advanced-talks/

Albion have advanced in talks to appoint Raphael Wicky as the new head coach.
Wicky met and impressed club chiefs in talks in London this week, with Albion sporting director Andrew Nestor leading the hunt for Carlos Corberan's successor.

Dutch coach Rene Hake, the former Manchester United No.2 to Erik Ten Hag, was also interviewed by the club. But Swiss national Wicky, 47, is in pole position to take over at The Hawthorns. The former midfielder, who was a youth coach before managing Basel in his homeland and Chicago Fire in the United States, won a league and cup double with Young Boys in 2022/23, his sole full season in charge.He was always the hierarchy's preferred candidate, the Express & Star understands, and the standout contender following two rounds of interviews.

He was always the hierarchy's preferred candidate, the Express & Star understands, and the standout contender following two rounds of interviews.

it is thought Wicky's style carries a resemblance to that of Corberan's in that of a coach capable of developing talent from within. It is reported the former Werder Bremen and Atletico Madrid midfielder's approach fits the modern-day thinking of Albion's Bilkul Football board, with Nestor leading the head coach search for an analytical-style boss.

It is reported the former Werder Bremen and Atletico Madrid midfielder's approach fits the modern-day thinking of Albion's Bilkul Football board, with Nestor leading the head coach search for an analytical-style boss.
He departed the club with a 59 per cent win ratio from 100 matches.

Wicky is Bilkul's first football appointment of any significance after Corberan's sudden exit for Valencia on Christmas Eve.

The front-runner in Albion's new boss hunt began his coaching career with youth jobs in his homeland at Thun, Servette and Basel before a first senior job with the latter in 2017. Basel claimed the title a few days later.

Basel dismissed Wicky a little over a year later in July 2018 before a couple of jobs in the United States, initially with the national under-19s side before MLS side Chicago Fire in December 2019. He remained there until September 2021.

The coach enjoyed impressive success with his double-winning campaign of 2022/23 before a mid-season stutter the following campaign saw Wicky dismissed as the lead at the top-flight's summit was cut to one point.

The coach admitted last summer he was still 'recovering and getting over' his dismissal.

He said last August: "The dismissal hit me hard. After these very successful times and with all the goals achieved, I would naturally have liked more support. "I never had the feeling before a game that it was about my job, on the contrary, the relationship with the players was always good.

"When I had to leave, we were still leaders. Would you understand that you were no longer the right man for the job?"

Wicky added in an interview last summer he had numerous approaches and talks with clubs and associations around the world after his dismissal. Last Autumn he took a five-week trip to Los Angeles, home of his wife, prior to a return to the game.



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Re: Next Head Coach Thread
« Reply #1149 on: January 10, 2025, 09:38:41 PM »
Apparantly its all signed but will not be announced officially until after the Bournmouth game. Its a really good appointment for me and one I think the vast majority of fans will get fully behind.
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