Fans Say No to Gafferus Rex

Roy Hodgson today is on the brink of becoming England Manager and I hope he succeeds although I do fear that he is going to get mauled by the Redknapp obsessed media. Unfortunately this leaves the Baggies short of a very experienced and well respected Head Coach.

From yesterday evening fans forum's buzzed with the news and speculation as to who might arrive as the new Head Coach at the Hawthorns. It was interesting to note that many fans found it easier to express who they didn't want rather than who they wanted.

There was however a general consensus that we really did not want a old style gaffer. Names that drew particular scorn or hostility included Steve Bruce, Mick McCarthy, Alex McLiesh, Alan Curbishley, Sam Alladyce and Steve McLaren. Whilst there are particular local reasons why Baggies might feel hostile towards McCarthy and McLiesh the one thing they have in common is they are all perceived as old style non nonsense football managers (with the possible exception of McLaren the Wally with the Brolly headline did for him). What the fans want is a progressive manager who will fit in with the way the club is organised and move us forward.

The old dinosaurs of English management will not work with the Albion's management structure and in the past the fans have questioned the wisdom of the club not appointing someone like Alladyce who would want total control. Not anymore the system has seen 2 Head coaches come and go with minimum disruption to the club's progress and the fans are convinced the club has the right approach and the new coach will fit in with it or they will not be the hired.

The Albion are a well run club and must be an attractive proposition to any up and coming coach with a progressive outlook. I think the club could do worse than look at the best the Championship has to offer my short list would be Chris Hughton, Malky MacKay, and Gus Poyet. An outsider might be Michael Laudrup who has had a successful career coaching some of the smaller clubs in La Liga.

Whatever the outcome I am sure Gafferus Rex will not be stalking the Albion's training ground mobile in hand trying to sign some bloke he has been recommended by a mate who is friends with an agent who has just seen a video of someones brother who happens to be really good.