Steve Madeley details behind-the-scenes ‘Anger’ after Luke Dowling leaves West Brom
The Athletic’s Steve Madeley has detailed the chaos and confusion behind the scenes at West Brom after Luke Dowling left the club on Monday.
West Brom released a statement on their club website after the sporting and technical director exited The Hawthorns, announcing it was by “mutual consent”.
However, as Madeley writes on The Athletic website, there was a degree of bitterness that came with the decision.
He said: “His departure was announced as being “by mutual consent” and The Athletic understands the statement to be accurate, but mutual consent came with mutual frustration, mutual anger, and a mutual sense that the relationship had run its course.
“The final straw clearly came a couple of weeks ago when Dowling’s hopes of appointing Chris Wilder — his first choice to be the new head coach — were dashed by word from China that owner Guochuan Lai had vetoed the move.
“Lai decreed that Wilder’s criticism of a section of Sheffield United’s ownership following his departure from Bramall Lane was unacceptable. The owner in question was a former business associate of the Albion majority shareholder and the manner of Wilder’s relationship breakdown in Sheffield put Lai off.”
Get a grip of the club
Now is the time to put an end to this utter shambles.
The Albion hierarchy has been a farce for a number of years now, and there has been no end in sight.
There will be mass debate among fans as to how much of the blame Dowling has to take for that – a few will berate the decision, while many will probably be happy to see him go after some questionable signings and manager appointments.
A concern will be that Lai will be able to wield even more control on the club now that the key footballing ‘brain’ behind the operation has departed.
But at least there should be less confusion and in-fighting that should ensure there is more tranquillity at the club.
Something was obviously not right behind the scenes and something had to change.
Dowling paid the price, and now we will see what direction the club will take next.
In other West Brom news, the Albion are set to make a transfer decision over this ‘marvellous’ ace.
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