Gary Megson: I just couldn’t say no to West Brom
Gary Megson revealed the lure of returning to Albion proved simply too strong to resist following his shock appointment as Tony Pulis’s assistant.
Megson had been out of the game since leaving Sheffield Wednesday in 2012 but was persuaded to make a return by Pulis.
“I have been out of it for a while and you get used to a certain lifestyle,” he said. “There’s only a few clubs in the country that I would do this for and this is obviously one of them.
“I loved my time here although it’s a long time ago now. You obviously have the club you grow up supporting which you always consider to be your club. But this is as close to that relationship as possible – and I can’t pay it a higher compliment than that. It’s a terrific club with terrific support.
“Tony rang me just before I was about to go on holiday and said what he wanted to do.
“I’ve known Tony a long time and although we’ve never lived in each other’s pockets we have similar views on how football should be played and how footballers should behave.
“Tony has been with Dave (Kemp) a long time and it’s a difficult thing, the manager and assistant relationship. But the main aim is to support the manager in whatever way he asks.”
Megson managed Albion for four years between 2000 and 2004, engineering the Baggies return to the top flight following a 16-year absence in 2002.
He won a second promotion two years later and despite being sacked a few months afterwards, in October 2004, remains hugely popular with supporters.
When Kemp informed Pulis of his decision to retire after more than a decade working together, the Baggies head coach turned to Megson, with whom he has a long association.
Megson’s father Don handed Pulis his debut as a professional at Bristol Rovers, while the pair also teamed up briefly at Stoke City.
“It’s exciting for Gary and a good opportunity to come back into football,” said Pulis. “Losing Dave is a blow to me, we know each other really well.
“But Gary knows how I work and what I expect from people around me.
“I have known him since he was a 14, 15-year-old lad. I have always had tremendous respect for him.
“He knows the club. He knows the make-up of the club, knows how I work. I have always preferred experienced people around me and Gary has that experience.
“We have the relationship you need to speak and talk to each other straight.”
Kemp, who worked with Pulis at Plymouth, Stoke and Crystal Palace before they joined Albion in December 2014, has chosen to retire in order to spend more time with his California-based family.
“I was desperately disappointed that Dave said he was leaving but I understand his decision,” said Pulis
“Obviously, his family home has been in Sacramento, California and travelling back and forth three or four times a year with just the summers at home has been hard for him.
“He has been a wonderful ally. We’ve worked with each other a long time and have great memories and had great moments. We’ve achieved things as a pair, not just me. Dave Kemp should take equal credit.”
