For those who say give him chance, yes, I will go up to the Hawthorns start of the new season , just as I would if we'd appointed the chief scout of Alloa Athletic or the head coach of Solihull Moors (women's section). However....he will have to hit the ground running as I imagine people's patience will run out pretty rapidly if results are poor. Whereas managers with a decent track record and a bright innovative approach might be given more time, I'm afraid Irvine will not have that luxury, as this is so obviously an accident waiting to happen.
To be honest apart from with us, I can't recall Irvine being linked with any other jobs. I suppose we don't need to ask why Everton didn't consider him for their vacancy when Moyes left. And Moyes didn't apparently even try to take him as an ASSISTANT to Old Trafford. What does that tell you?
I understand our budgetary situation is not the same as for most Premier clubs, but I still can't get my head around the fact that we couldn't attract a coach with a more impressive track record. The premier league is watched from around the World and there are 20 head coach/managers jobs, of which only a proportion will be free at any time. In other words, the supply of quality potential coaches must far exceed the number of vacancies. Did we even try for Ronald Koeman, who wants to manage in the Premier league and who has led some big clubs?
I will be watching Irvine's progress with hyper-critical eyes, along with 20-25,000 other Albion fans.