Questions are being asked amongst the West Brom faithful as to the extent of Darren Moore’s standing at West Brom. A recent interview with a former player and questionable comments by a club owner regarding a summer target have cast doubt over exactly how much input Darren Moore has as manager of the Midlands side.
Are Darren Moore’s Hands Tied?
Darren Moore was hired as West Brom boss on a permanent basis this summer following his impressive spell at the tail end of last season. It was an appointment that Albion fans happily rejoiced in, a former player for the Black Country club returning as boss. But there are a few warning signs already that all is not as it seems with the Baggies.
Recent revelations have shed some light on how things are currently being run behind the scenes at the Hawthorns. Throwing Moore’s managerial role into question, it appears that Moore doesn’t have final decision on players at the club. Players he wanted to keep were released and players he wanted to sign were turned away.
Now this kind of transfer activity may have become part and parcel of modern management at some clubs. But comments from former West Brom defender Gareth McAuley, regarding his game time during Albion’s terrible Premier League campaign last season, make clear that team selection at the Hawthorns isn’t always as it seems either.
Gareth McAuley Interview
Former Baggies man Gareth McAuley recently spoke about being released by West Brom this summer. The 38-year-old Northern Irish defender sat down for an interview with The Times, the interview quickly made waves amongst the West Brom fan base.
“I spoke to Big Mooro,” said McAuley. “He said if he got the job, he’d want me around.
“All the summer I was preparing myself to go back. Then I got a call from Big Mooro.
“He said, ‘Look, the club have a problem with your age.’ ‘OK. Can you show me on the GPS?’ My figures were always good.”
Clearly, Darren Moore didn’t get the final say on McAuley’s departure from the club. However, some fans felt that McAuley’s release was due, and as a result, weren’t too shocked by these comments. His follow up comments regarding team selection last season is a different matter altogether. The defender approached Albion in January to ask about his limited game time.
He added: “My head and my heart were saying, ‘You have to fight and try and help the club.’
“So I went and asked the hierarchy, ‘What do I need to do to get in the team?’ ‘Nothing,’ they said.
“‘What do you mean nothing?’ ‘Jonny [Evans] is worth £30 million and we gave Ahmed [Hegazi] five years [contract], so if we play you we’re going to look stupid.’
“I said, ‘We’ve just lost four games in a row, surely you’re going to do something?’ ‘No,’ they said.
These comments sent shockwaves through the Baggies faithful. A team that went on to be relegated didn’t do their utmost to stop it because they didn’t want to look stupid. This from a boardroom that hired Alan Pardew for a disastrous few months.
Marcus Maddison
Peterborough owner Darragh MacAnthony has revealed that Albion were chasing Maddison, 24, as a replacement for the outgoing James McClean during the summer window. Claiming that Darren Moore had been in regular contact with Peterborough United winger Marcus Maddison prior to the signing of Harvey Barnes.
“Their manager [Darren Moore] pestered his agent and a contact of mine over a deal non-stop last 5 weeks, yes but the club itself no. All very odd if I’m honest. But that’s football. We move on,” MacAnthony tweeted, in response to an Albion fan.
“He told MM [Marcus Maddison] agent once McClean went, MM coming in the building. Then went and got a loan winger in. Odd for sure. Very.”
Is this another example of the top dogs at West Brom pulling the plug on their manager’s wishes? West Brom fans now seem to think so, all does not appear to be running smoothly at The Hawthorns. It will be Darren Moore that gets hung out to dry if Albion fail this season, but it may not be that clear-cut, time will tell.
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