David Wagner insists that a desire to try ‘something new’ was the major factor behind his decision to reject West Bromwich Albion and take over as the new manager of BSC Young Boys instead, as he told Blue Win.
The 49-year-old certainly has big shoes to fill in Bern.
Young Boys have won the Swiss Super League title in each of the last four seasons, finishing a remarkable 31 points clear of second-placed Basel in 2020/21.
And if Wagner can maintain their domestic dominance, a reputation which took a beating during his miserable spell at Schalke should be restored to its former glory.
The last two coaches to lead Young Boys to the title – Adi Hutter and Gerardo Seoane – nabbed top Bundesliga jobs after impressing across the border too.
Why did David Wagner turn down West Brom?
Wagner was in talks to take over from Sam Allardyce at West Brom as recently as last week, only for discussions to break down at the eleventh hour (Sky Sports).
And while the one-time Huddersfield Town boss was reluctant to give too much away, he did suggest that a fresh challenge in a new league – one he has never worked in before – was the driving force behind his decision to turn down the Baggies.
“I was in the Bundesliga, I was in England – the job here, with this club, appeals to me,” explained the former Dortmund youth coach, who famously led an unfancied Terriers side to promotion in 2017.
Sporting director Christoph Spycher, meanwhile, insists that Wagner took over at the unfortunately-named Wankdorf Arena because of his passion for the project.
“We threw everything we had (at Wagner). It wasn’t about finances, it was more about the people who work here. About emotions, what you can experience with YB,” says Spycher
“I think that was the decisive factor. If it had been about the finances, Dave would certainly not be the YB trainer today.”
With three weeks until pre-season training gets underway, West Brom are back in the familiar surroundings of square one, their managerial search showing no signs of ending.
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