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Behind every good manager is a great assistant. Sir Alex Ferguson leant heavily on Brian Kidd and Steve McClaren, Brian Clough was never the same without Peter Taylor. But the danger for the best assistant managers is that they become cast in that role, with their skill set seen as applicable to being a number two rather than running the show. Stepping out from the shadows into the glare of the managerial spotlight is, therefore, a challenge. For Kidd, it never quite happened. For McClaren, it took time. Countless others have tried and failed.
But for West Brom boss Steve Clarke, it has been seamless. His contributions at Chelsea and Liverpool were well-documented, as he played a key role in the Jose Mourinho era at Stamford Bridge and smoothed the transition from Roy Hodgson to Kenny Dalglish at Anfield. Firm but fair with the players, the 49-year-old quickly became a respected figure. Yet, for all his obvious ability, he was rarely part of the conversation when managerial posts opened up across the Premier League.
And given West Brom’s high-flying start to the season, plenty of clubs should be kicking themselves, including Liverpool. It cannot have escaped the notice of those at Anfield that while the Reds are bouncing from one setback to another, one of their former employees is stealing the show in the top four. At the time of writing, the Baggies sit fourth, 10 points ahead of Liverpool, and seem a far safer bet to challenge for a European place, despite a disappointing 3-1 loss at Swansea in midweek. Few could have seen this coming – but no one had a better chance to weigh up Clarke’s potential than Liverpool. Brendan Rodgers has a bright managerial future, but did the Reds miss a trick by neglecting to take a chance on Clarke?
Liverpool’s loss has been West Brom’s gain. The Baggies have thrived under Clarke, thrilling their fans with an entertaining, attacking style of play and giving the Premier League’s best more than they can handle. A home win over Chelsea confirmed that their start to the campaign is not being over-hyped – and, of course, there was the emphatic 3-0 win over Liverpool on the opening day of the season which set both clubs on their respective paths. Clarke must wait until February to bring his team to Anfield.
Ironically, it was Hodgson who began the revival process for West Brom after his nightmare stint at Anfield. Under Hodgson, the club made clear improvements, strengthened the squad and set top half aspirations rather than mere survival. When England came calling, the ideal opportunity opened up for Clarke in the Midlands.
On paper, Clarke’s strongest line-up does not jump out as top six contenders, with few big names or earth-shattering signings. But it is a perfect blend. At the back, Gareth McAuley and Jonas Olsson have formed a terrific partnership while goalkeeper Ben Foster, with the exception of one or two blunders, has been an important contributor. An experienced defender himself, Clarke has put the emphasis on building from the back, even getting the best from the solid but unspectacular Liam Ridgewell.
Just don’t confuse that with a defensive mindset. Clarke has quietly assembled an exciting stable of attackers. Shane Long continues to terrorise defences with his strength and work-rate while the somewhat erratic Peter Odemwingie has made a number of key contributions. Romelu Lukaku, on loan from Chelsea, was another shrewd acquisition and provides another dimension off the bench. All three have been among the goals this season.
But it is in midfield that West Brom really excel, again with an array of underrated performers who know their roles inside out and are comfortable in possession. Argentine holding midfielder Claudio Yacob has been a steal – arriving in the summer on a free transfer – and Clarke has surrounded the 25-year-old with crafty creators like James Morrison, Zoltan Gera and Chris Brunt as well as the tireless Youssouf Mulumbu. This group has done an outstanding job dictating the tempo and pulling the strings. Needless to say, the Hawthorns has been a tough place for visiting teams.
All things considered, West Brom’s run of results represents a remarkable achievement that is above and beyond expectations for Clarke’s first year in the job. While such feel-good stories are nothing new and the typical plot ends with a tumble down the table, there are few signs of the Baggies’ momentum being slowed just yet, even if the upcoming African Cup of Nations will take its toll on Clarke’s squad.
In fact, with every passing week, the resemblance to Ipswich’s incredible 2000/01 campaign is more and more striking (the Tractor Boys finished fifth, ahead of Chelsea, Tottenham and plenty of other far more established clubs). Why couldn’t West Brom cash in during a season where Arsenal and Tottenham have lacked consistency while Liverpool and Newcastle have been woefully below par? Even Everton, other contenders to crash the party, have run out of steam in recent weeks after their flying start.
Understandably, fans at the Hawthorns are walking on air at present and dreaming of European football. Clarke is doing his best to keep supporters and players alike grounded. “We just need to stay grounded, stay focused and not get ahead of ourselves", he explained. "We need to use the players wisely, try and keep them as fresh as possible. We are getting a lot of plaudits and the players deserve it but we don’t get carried away in the Premier League.”
There is a long, long way to go, but Clarke has made an impressive early statement – one that will have been heard loud and clear at Anfield. Think of him no longer as a number two. He looks to be one of the brightest young managers in the Premier League.
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