Carlos Corberan reveals behind the scenes ‘Premier League level’ West Brom changes at Great Barr amid promotion push
Carlos Corberan has talked up the behind-scenes changes he has made at West Brom to provide “Premier League level” facilities as the club pushes for promotion.
The Spaniard commented in his pre-match press conference on 6 December, ahead of the weekend trip to Sunderland, on the alterations made at the training ground during the offseason on his direction, including to the menu in the canteen.
The Baggies boss wanted previously-plain walls painted with slogans such as “Bonded By Belief Since 1878” and “If people are doubting how far you can go, go so far that you can’t hear them anymore” to instil the right attitude in his players, while removing bread and other carbs from the food on offer.
Corberan said, as per Birmingham Live (6 December): “Last summer, I said we needed to change the chairs in the meeting room. They were too big, too comfortable and sometimes the players could fall asleep! We put more smaller, still nice chairs in and you can get more in.
“I told the club that I wanted to paint on the walls the values we wanted to show to the players. The first day of pre-season, when I arrived back at the club, these things have been done.
“The quality of the food we have in the canteen is Premier League level. Premier League level. Everything we need to compete, is there.”
Ready and waiting
It seems increasingly clear that Corberan is destined for the Premier League sooner or later and West Brom need to ensure it is with them.
He has shown more commitment to the cause at The Hawthorns than a lot of managers clearly on an upward trajectory might have done.
Despite a backdrop of constant uncertainty over the ownership and the finances he has managed to turn the ship around in a major way from the apathy and disappointment of the Steve Bruce and Valerien Ismael eras last season and has the Baggies looking upwards.
Some behind the scenes changes can come across as conceited and suggest a manager with an inflated sense of his own importance.
But when Corberan has been getting the type of results that have taken West Brom from bound for a relegation to the third tier to in prime spot to secure at least a play-off place in little over a year it is difficult to argue.
If he can hold everything together on meagre resources, and with injury problems constantly looking to derail his progress, until a long-awaited takeover gets over the line there is reason to believe he could do something special with the Baggies back in the top flight.
In other West Brom news, more exits are possible in January as the club accept they can’t ignore any serious bids.