Baggies' D-day on new boss; Di Matteo shock contender for hot seat: Board aim to reveal new boss today.Byline: Chris Lepkowski ALBION will today name their new manager - with a straight decision to be made between Alan Irvine Alan Irvine (born July 12th, 1958 in Glasgow, Scotland) is a former footballer. He is currently the assistant manager at English Premier League football club Everton, who he made eighty appearances for as a player in the early 1980s. and surprise contender and new favourite Roberto Di Matteo Roberto Di Matteo (born May 29, 1970 in Schaffhausen, Switzerland) is a Swiss-Italian former professional footballer. A midfielder, his career consisted of spells at Schaffhausen (1988-91), Zürich (1991-92), Aarau (1992-93), Lazio (1993-96), and Chelsea (1996-2002). . The Baggies have interviewed both men after being granted permission by their respective clubs Preston North End and MK Dons.. And Albion's board will today reconvene reconvene Verb to gather together again after an interval: we reconvene tomorrow Verb 1. reconvene - meet again; "The bill will be considered when the Legislature reconvenes next Fall" to decide their final choice. The plan is to announce the successful candidate this evening, with a view to unveiling him tomorrow afternoon or Thursday. Irvine was initially the clear favourite and he could yet be named as Tony Mowbray's successor. But Di Matteo has given the club a tough choice to make. He made a huge impression during his interview and could yet get the nod. The decision is too tough to call at this stage, with both men impressing, but I understand Di Matteo is perhaps the slight favourite over the two. Irvine has taken Preston to the playoffs, while Di Matteo performed a similar task for the League One club, despite crippling crip·ple n. 1. A person or animal that is partially disabled or unable to use a limb or limbs: cannot race a horse that is a cripple. 2. A damaged or defective object or device. tr.v. injury problems. The Dons also scored the most goals in their division and had one of the best defensive records. DiMatteo inherited a side new to a higher level following promotion-winning Paul Ince's departure for Blackburn. They lost to Scunthorpe on penalties in the play-off semi-finals, but the team had been praised throughout the campaign for the quality of their football. Di Matteo has an academic background, having built on a business studies degree gained in his native Switzerland by taking an MBA course at London's European School of Economics. Irvine, whose Preston side also play what is considered to be the 'Albion way', made a name for himself as a coach and academy director with Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United. He joined Everton to become David Moyes' No.2 before taking over at Deepdale in 2007. He is highly respected in the game and among players. Albion plan to have their new man in charge as early as tomorrow - when the players return to pre-season training . CAPTION(S): Roberto Di Matteo. Record signing: Kevin Doyle For other persons named Kevin Doyle, see Kevin Doyle (disambiguation). Kevin Edward Doyle (born 18 September 1983 in Adamstown, County Wexford, Ireland) is an Irish footballer who currently plays for Reading in the English Premier League. . |
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