Ally McCoist stunned as Andy Townsend shares West Brom story on talkSPORT – ‘No Way’
Ally McCoist was left surprised live on talkSPORT on Friday morning as Andy Townsend shared an anecdote on playing with Enzo Maresca at West Brom.
Townsend revealed [31 May, 08:42] that he played with Maresca at The Hawthorns as their paths crossed at opposite ends of the duo’s playing careers between 1999 and 2000.
He went on to reveal what the 44-year-old – set to become Chelsea’s replacement for Mauricio Pochettino – was like as a young player.
“I played with Enzo at West Brom,” said Townsend – to which a shocked McCoist replied “no way,” and asked what sort of player he was.
“He could play as a number eight,” he continued.
“He wasn’t the quickest, but he was gifted, even as a young boy. Back then, he was always a maverick footballer. He wanted to go out there and express himself – and he went on to have a good career.”
Maresca in the spotlight – but still fond of West Brom
Maresca has had a whirlwind year in England, experiencing a rollercoaster season with Leicester City which culminated – amongst some doubters – in promotion as champions, before being approached by Chelsea.
The Italian is held in high regard as a young coach, garnering high praise from Pep Guardiola after his spell with Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad three seasons ago.
But Maresca still fondly follows the fortunes of the Baggies, who handed him his first real professional opportunity and are the only English club he represented alongside Juventus, Sevilla and Olympiacos.
Maresca is also a fan of Carlos Corberan, though the Leicester title-winner did get the better of Albion last season with 2-1 wins on both occasions.
And the former midfielder-turned-coach could inadvertently make West Brom fans suffer, should Corberan be tempted for a shot at the Premier League by jumping into Maresca’s vacancy at the King Power Stadium.
In other West Brom news, fans have shattered last year’s numbers for the first day of season ticket sales.
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