"Graham!"
"Graham!"
I awoke immediately, it was my brother. I managed to open my eyes and reluctantly sat up.
"What is it Willie?" I asked with an exhausted groan.
"Look, Look" He was very excited.
I looked up to see him pointing straight at the television on the wall, the bright light was strong, but i squinted and managed to focus my eyes on it. B-Breaking News I managed to work out, it was sky sports news. I looked up at him, he was still very excited. Confused I rubbed my eyes and took another look at the yellow scrolling bar that drew everyones attention.
I only managed to catch the end, i read aloud
"resigns as West Brom manager".
"Isn't this great!" Willie exclaimed.
This was a club that had just been promoted, and had a young up and coming, and so far succesful manager, and they have sacked him? Very strange. I had to find out more i quickly sat up pulled on the new clean set of clothes from the foot of my bed. A pair of jeans and a plain white shirt, this would do. I stood up put on my slippers, patted my dog on the head and walked out of the front door.
It was only down the road, Little Nev's, as it was known, the local newsagent. I walked in picked up The Newcastle Express paper, and as i expected the headline read...
BAGGIES BOSS SACKED
"Alright Bud" It was Nev's croaky old voice.
"Mornin' Nevvo just the express today"
"You've seen the news then, ay?"
"I have indeed Nev, It took me by suprise to be honest"
"So fancy your chances then?"
I laughed it off, as i did for a while. As that question in one form or another was one i would be asked for the next couple of weeks.
"Graham!"
I awoke immediately, it was my brother. I managed to open my eyes and reluctantly sat up.
"What is it Willie?" I asked with an exhausted groan.
"Look, Look" He was very excited.
I looked up to see him pointing straight at the television on the wall, the bright light was strong, but i squinted and managed to focus my eyes on it. B-Breaking News I managed to work out, it was sky sports news. I looked up at him, he was still very excited. Confused I rubbed my eyes and took another look at the yellow scrolling bar that drew everyones attention.
I only managed to catch the end, i read aloud
"resigns as West Brom manager".
"Isn't this great!" Willie exclaimed.
This was a club that had just been promoted, and had a young up and coming, and so far succesful manager, and they have sacked him? Very strange. I had to find out more i quickly sat up pulled on the new clean set of clothes from the foot of my bed. A pair of jeans and a plain white shirt, this would do. I stood up put on my slippers, patted my dog on the head and walked out of the front door.
It was only down the road, Little Nev's, as it was known, the local newsagent. I walked in picked up The Newcastle Express paper, and as i expected the headline read...
BAGGIES BOSS SACKED
"Alright Bud" It was Nev's croaky old voice.
"Mornin' Nevvo just the express today"
"You've seen the news then, ay?"
"I have indeed Nev, It took me by suprise to be honest"
"So fancy your chances then?"
I laughed it off, as i did for a while. As that question in one form or another was one i would be asked for the next couple of weeks.
Alan Curbishley 5/4
Sam Allardyce 7/1
Phil Brown 8/1
Martin O'Neil 10/1
Graham McDonagh 16/1
Gary Megson 20/1
Eddie Newton 20/1
Sam Allardyce 7/1
Phil Brown 8/1
Martin O'Neil 10/1
Graham McDonagh 16/1
Gary Megson 20/1
Eddie Newton 20/1
Those were the odds, it was fantastic to see my name considered.
I am not just an uknown person, i am a former player, a scottish international myself, i did infact play at West Brom as a Youngster. Since then i have grown fond of the club.
I am not just an uknown person, i am a former player, a scottish international myself, i did infact play at West Brom as a Youngster. Since then i have grown fond of the club.
I am most well known for my time with Rangers, 14 years i spent in their first team making 443 appearances scoring 151 goals. I also played for Sunderland, Wimbledon and Hamilton.
I have only managed 2 teams in the past i was caretaker manager at Falkirk (albeit for 3 months). Also, i managed Iverness for a year and 3 months, maintaining a SPL status and reaching the semi final of the Scottish Cup, losing out to Rangers.
I would of course love to manage back at West Brom. All i can do is hope.
I have only managed 2 teams in the past i was caretaker manager at Falkirk (albeit for 3 months). Also, i managed Iverness for a year and 3 months, maintaining a SPL status and reaching the semi final of the Scottish Cup, losing out to Rangers.
I would of course love to manage back at West Brom. All i can do is hope.
*2 WEEKS LATER*
"Hello all, thank you for attending today for this important news. The board and myself, have made a decision on the change in management of the club. We feel that we have made the right decision and we hope that you will respect the appointment too." The powerful voice of Jeremy Peace.
"I would like to welcome our new manager, Graham McDonagh"
There was a strange atmosphere, at first there were whispers and i could see that everyone was shocked, but after a while i got the reception i needed, i was applauded as i took my seat at the semmingly very long table. I was here, at The Hawthorns, back where i started and boy did it feel good.
My First Press Conference-
Q: "Graham, as a former youth player at West Brom, you must be delighted to be returning here, as manager!"
A: Yes, of course i mean i didnt spend long here before but i was extremely impressed at that time, and have been ever since of the running of the club. I hope to emulate that once more to bring joy to The Hawthorns"
A: Yes, of course i mean i didnt spend long here before but i was extremely impressed at that time, and have been ever since of the running of the club. I hope to emulate that once more to bring joy to The Hawthorns"
Q: You have come in at an important time, pre-season and mid transfer window, do you have an idea of which players will be offloaded and which will be part of your plans?
A: Well, i have only just got here but, although i do know a fair bit about the club and its players, a new manager can bring about a change in mind with the players. Therefore, i am willing to let players show me what they can do, although i will be keeping my eye out for some players.
A: Well, i have only just got here but, although i do know a fair bit about the club and its players, a new manager can bring about a change in mind with the players. Therefore, i am willing to let players show me what they can do, although i will be keeping my eye out for some players.
Q:How involved to you intend to be with the club and players, will you use a hands on approach?
A: Well, im certainly not one for sitting back and letting people get on with things, i will always look to be involved but this is a job which will need patience at times, as for hands on i will look to speak to the players, as if i believe something will benefit one of my players i will not let it run by.
A: Well, im certainly not one for sitting back and letting people get on with things, i will always look to be involved but this is a job which will need patience at times, as for hands on i will look to speak to the players, as if i believe something will benefit one of my players i will not let it run by.
Q: Finally, You have joined in pre-season it is important to get a good start and will you be dipping your toes in the transfer market any time soon?
A: Well, as a new manager of a club it is always important to hit the ground running and thats what we will be looking to do here, and although itn is very early, the transfer market will be looked into yes.
A: Well, as a new manager of a club it is always important to hit the ground running and thats what we will be looking to do here, and although itn is very early, the transfer market will be looked into yes.
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