‘I think I would be in work’ – Shan reflects on crazy 12 games as manager of West Brom
Jimmy Shan has opened up on the 12 games he spent as West Brom manager at the tail-end of last season.
He was given the job after Darren Moore was sacked following a run of six home games without a win.
His first game in charge was Swansea at The Hawthorns, which is the exact same fixture Slaven Bilic is currently preparing for on Sunday.
Shan’s side won that game 3-0 and went on to finish in the play-offs, only to lose to Aston Villa in the semi-finals on penalties.
It was a sliding doors moment for Shan, and so much went wrong for him it’s not hard to have some sympathy.
Dwight Gayle was sent off in the first leg and missed the second. Chris Brunt was sent off in the second leg and West Brom went on to lose 4-3 on penalties.
Shan left West Brom that summer and Bilic has taken the Baggies to new heights, leaving Shan to reflect on the biggest moment in his career in an interview with Sky Sports.
“My mindset at the time was that it was only going to be for that one game [against Swansea].
“I just wanted to give a good account of myself. One game as caretaker and if we win then I will have a 100 per cent win record. That was what went through my head if I am honest.
Talking about the play-offs, he said, “It was close. It ended up being one kick.
“I knew it would be a difficult task but we were one kick away and life is about small margins. If I had taken the team to Wembley, do I think I would be sat here now with my feet on the sofa ready to do the housework? I think I would be in work.”
Shan has said he’s ready to get back into the game now, ideally as head coach, and says he’d be willing to look down the pyramid and work his way back up.
We wish him the best of luck. Shan was at West Brom for 13 years and worked his way up from Under-7s boss to the very top.
Bilic was obviously the right move for the club and our quest to get back in the Premier League, but Shan did a good job in difficult circumstances last season.
In other West Brom news, Emile Heskey has shared his thoughts on Harvey Barnes’ loan spell at The Hawthorns.