Athletic journalist details role Mark Jenkins will play next season despite WBA retirement
West Brom Chief Executive Mark Jenkins confirmed his retirement at the Hawthorns on Monday afternoon.
Jenkins admitted that after promotion to the Premier League, his “job was done” in the Midlands, and Xu Ke will now take over the role.
Many Baggies fans reacted to the news after it was released, and they were distraught – some even suggesting that hopes of survival in the top-flight have been slashed.
The Athletic’s Steve Madeley has shared that Jenkins will still be slightly involved at the Hawthorns, in an advisory role for Ke if ever needed.
“While Jenkins will still be “on the end of a phone” on a very informal basis, West Brom will be returning to the Premier League without a man who has been pivotal to almost all of their previous seasons in the division,” he wrote.
That will be music to the ears of fans and Ke, who despite shadowing Jenkins for a couple of seasons, won’t have that experience needed to immediately succeed.
Jenkins spent 18 years at the Hawthorns during two separate spells, and celebrated four different promotions as well as keeping the club financially stable.
Madeley admitted that Ke will be taking charge of a club looking to stay up in the Premier League, but not willing to gamble to do so.
That exaggerates just how big the task will be, and having Jenkins available on the phone at any time he needs could be vital next season as the Baggies return to the Premier League.
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