Harty on... the Albion managerial situation

Fans immediately speculated whether perhaps some of the candidates included some of the more high-profile British managers, initially flagged up by the media after Garcia’s exit?

But, within days, it was almost a case of business as usual for the long-suffering Albion support.

First up, former Cardiff and Watford boss Malky Mackay, a man with a proven track record in the Championship, distances himself from the job, via a statement from his agent.

Then word from Spain says that one-time second favourite with the bookies, and current Real Madrid coach, Paul Clement, would be unlikely to leave the Bernabeu, with the possibility of moving up to be Carlo Anchelotti’s number two this summer.

And they say it comes in threes, because then perhaps the fans’ choice, Tim Sherwood, reveals that over a week after the job first became visible, neither he or the Albion have been in contact with each other.

With all this talk of budgetary limitations and Financial Fair Play, I sometimes think the Albion would be better with Robin of Sherwood in the dugout. But, seriously, Sherwood, regardless of his gilet throwing, ticked all the boxes for me.

So, with three apparently ideal candidates not in the mix, I’m intrigued to know who these ‘other’ quality candidates are?

On the face of it, Paul Barber seems to be very good at telling people what they want to hear. Perhaps that’s a little harsh but the proof of the pudding will now be when the new manager is unveiled, as to if he is deemed by fans everywhere to be a quality candidate.

Congratulations to Nick Courtnadge, Roger Johnson and all the other Worthing FC supporters for organising a cracking tournament at Woodside Road on Saturday.

Even I managed three games, and the doctors at Selden Road Surgery said my knees should start working again by the middle of next week.

With the scales not making pleasant reading and a landmark birthday just weeks away, a visit back to Woodside to see Dan Aguliera at Ultimate U Fitness should be top of my ‘bucket list’?

He clearly knows what he’s doing. Since opening up last July, his clients have collectively lost 984 stone, one will do me!

On Monday and still feeling stiff, it was off up to Soho for a Boxing Writers’ Club lunch in honour of the legendary Joe Calzaghe, who next month will be inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in America.

One of, if not, the finest boxer to ever come out of these shores, Joe is very much enjoying his retirement, having hung up his gloves undefeated just a few victories short of Rocky Marciano’s all-time record.

In a sport which is littered with stories of former fighters falling on hard times and beset with personal problems, it was great to spend some time with a man who’s content with himself and loving life.