Next month will commemorate the tenth anniversary of West Brom parting ways with manager Steve Clarke, just a few months after he guided the team to their highest-ever finish in the Premier League. Clarke’s impressive first season saw West Brom secure an eighth-place finish, even briefly holding the third spot in the table.
However, the following season proved challenging, with only seven wins in 34 Premier League games throughout the calendar year. Consequently, Clarke was dismissed, despite the team being only two points outside the relegation zone. Although West Brom successfully avoided relegation that season and achieved a tenth-place finish in subsequent years under Tony Pulis, eventual relegation ensued. Since then, the club has faced difficulties both on and off the field, currently enduring their third consecutive Championship campaign.
The present looks promising for West Brom under the guidance of Carlos Corberan, aiming to secure promotion this season. If successful, it will be just over ten years since the club narrowly avoided relegation following Clarke’s departure. Former player Billy Jones shared insights on Clarke’s dismissal and the aftermath on the latest Baggies Broadcast episode.
Jones revealed that the squad felt the decision to remove Clarke was premature, despite the team’s challenging results. The players believed they were on the verge of a turnaround, citing good performances that did not translate into positive outcomes. Jones emphasized the disappointment among players for not being able to build on the achievements of the previous season.
'The majority of players were disappointed given what we achieved the year before'
Former Albion defender Billy Jones recalls Steve Clarke's sacking just months after an 8th placed Premier League finishhttps://t.co/7UdkVrIwFy #Baggies pic.twitter.com/iGzReFtGml
— Baggies Broadcast (@AlbionPoddy) November 17, 2023
Following Clarke’s departure, Spaniard Pepe Mel took over but faced challenges in implementing a new playing style and effective communication. Assistant coaches Dean Kiely and Keith Downing assumed a more hands-on role to address these issues. Jones explained that Mel attempted to instigate changes swiftly, leading to confusion among the players regarding their roles on the field. Despite the challenges, West Brom managed to retain their Premier League status during this transitional period.
To hear the complete discussion with Billy Jones, you can listen to the full episode of the Baggies Broadcast on Soundcloud, Spotify, and Apple.