The Chris Lepkowski Column: West Brom managerial appointment is no shock

Jul 1 2009 by Chris Lepkowski

FOR West Bromwich Albion, see West Ham United.

The Baggies decision to appoint Roberto Di Matteo may have prompted surprise but scratch beneath the surface if you can. Its no shock, really.

You only have to look at the West Ham model to see what Jeremy Peace had in mind. Gianfranco Zolas success at Upton Park has no doubt been part of the inspiration behind Albions move.

A young Italian, with little experience of managing, working at a club where he will work alongside a sporting and technical director...sounds familiar, just like West Ham (and exactly why Alan Curbishley was never a consideration). Di Matteo isnt even a manager - hes a head coach.

If it works as well as it has in east London then itll be an inspired decision.

And you cant blame Peace for taking the gamble.

Di Matteo, born in Switzerland to Italian parents, may lack the experience of a Dave Jones, the fans adulation of a Derek McInnes or the coaching know-how of an Alan Irvine.

But he will stick Albion back on the radar. Let us not forget that this is a man who managed to transform the loathsome MK Dons into a semi-fashionable club.

And Albions decision to overlook other candidates may not be a bad thing. Dave Jones never really convinced anyone that his heart was set on leaving Cardiff. McInnes, like Di Matteo, remains inexperienced. A bad season would have tarnished the image of McInnes, who remains a hero. His time may yet come sometime in the future. Darren Ferguson was too expensive and Adie Boothroyd would have triggered a deluge of season ticket books being returned - if you go with the reaction to a story about his possible interest in the job.