SPECULATION - Wally Downes

[Isaac Hunt]

BM said quite clearly last night that he was mates with Wally but there was no chance of him turning up on the coaching staff at Reading.

[Royal Rother]

Now the real dream ticket would be Wally Downes and Martin Allen...

[specialjon]

The way he celebrated West Ham going 2-1 up against Liverpool on sunday I can't see it was his choice to leave. I'd have him back tomorrow for a fresh perspective on things.

[Elm Park Pasty]

The way he celebrated West Ham going 2-1 up against Liverpool on sunday I can't see it was his choice to leave. I'd have him back tomorrow for a fresh perspective on things.

Might be worth him popping up at training for a few weeks to crack heads.

[Royal Lady]

BM said quite clearly last night that he was mates with Wally but there was no chance of him turning up on the coaching staff at Reading.

How doese he know what AZ and TSI have planned? Maybe they are considering bringing him in AFTER McD has gone - just cos Wally is his mate, doesn't mean he wouldn't snap up a job here.

[melonhead]

Now the real dream ticket would be Wally Downes and Martin Allen...

i would die for that if brian went

but it would hardly be the free flowing passing attacking football everyone is whingeing about

[Royal Ginger]

BM said quite clearly last night that he was mates with Wally but there was no chance of him turning up on the coaching staff at Reading.

How doese he know what AZ and TSI have planned? Maybe they are considering bringing him in AFTER McD has gone - just cos Wally is his mate, doesn't mean he wouldn't snap up a job here.

Or perhaps his friend Wally told him "there's no f***ing way i'm coming to Reading", or "I've already signed a contract with Watford" or "I've got a terminal illness, i need to be with my family" take your pick.

[DOYLERSAROYALER]

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012
Wally Downes: Reading Between The Lines
In a very brief statement, released just prior to the meeting of the Supporter's Advisory Board on Tuesday evening, it was announced that Wally Downes, first team coach, has left West Ham by mutual consent.  According to reports, Karen Brady spent a good deal of the day at Chadwell Heath prior to chairing the SAB meeting later that evening.

There's much conjecture out there on why Wally has left, but, given that nothing has been offered by the club or Downes' unusually inactive twitter account,  the only fact of any credibility is what we already know: it was sudden.  Given that he had a tremendous relationship with the players - Nolan in particular, who he shares a greyhound with - and manager Allardyce, it is unlikely he was axed, although this is, at this point, still speculation.  Given that Wally twittered on Monday that "It's a pleasure to be involved with [the] team..." , you have to conclude that prior to Monday at 11am, his future was solidly at West Ham.

Conjecture flying around right now suggests one of two possibilities: that there is a health or family issue involved (let's hope not for his sake), or, more likely in my opinion, that Wally may well have been offered the chance to coach or even manage Reading.  Latterly he was Assistant Manager with Steve Coppell at the Royals up until 2009.  Given the appalling display yesterday by 19th placed Reading to a very poor looking Sunderland side, and the fact that Reading player Danny Guthrie refused to travel with the team for the defeat at Sunderland, Brian McDermott's tenure at the club is likely to be facing intense scrutiny - to say the least - from Chairman Sir John Madejski. 

This is a blow to the West Ham, but not an insurmountable one.  It's a blow because the players and coaching staff are incredibly tight and united, as can be seen on the pitch and the sidelines.  Wally was no doubt a big part of that; he offered more than just coaching: he was a great team player and man-manager.  You only have to look at his days at Wimbledon to see that.

Wally has been a good servant to the club and, whatever the reason, I wish him well in the future.  As for his successor, whether he is promoted from within the club or acquired from without, he has big shoes to fill.

[domo]

please god..if you have met him (and he is a lovely bloke)
I wouldnt trust him with anything to do with our team..thats why people like Sam are happy for him to go..he is part of an old style of football that nbobodoby wants to watch..which is why Reading will probably bring him back
sad days at this club

[SPARTA]

please god..if you have met him (and he is a lovely bloke)
I wouldnt trust him with anything to do with our team..thats why people like Sam are happy for him to go..he is part of an old style of football that nbobodoby wants to watch..which is why Reading will probably bring him back
sad days at this club

If you took the time to find out what Big Sam thinks of Wally, you'd know that he rates him extremely highly!

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Now the real dream ticket would be Wally Downes and Martin Allen...

No thanks - a lower league manager who would never cut it at even championship level - and from going to school with him a complete ****

[SCIAG]

I would take Wally as manager. His style of football would probably make McDermott look like AVB, but we'd tighten up at the back.

[maffff]

Would Pardew be after him at Newcastle perhaps?

Maybe he's off to AFC Wimbledon?

[Royal Rother]

Now the real dream ticket would be Wally Downes and Martin Allen...

No thanks - a lower league manager who would never cut it at even championship level - and from going to school with him a complete ****

I was joking.

[bcubed]

Now the real dream ticket would be Wally Downes and Martin Allen...

Or Wally plus Phil Parkinson

[Tamworth_Royal]

Rumours he has left West Ham - coming back as a much needed defensive coach???

Woopey doo , Neil Warnock is in the Championship so who cares

[Tamworth_Royal]

Now the real dream ticket would be Wally Downes and Martin Allen...

No thanks - a lower league manager who would never cut it at even championship level - and from going to school with him a complete ****

I was joking.

The dream ticket is Royal Rother on Branson’s space rocket …………… but single only. Then again what a waste that would be……. I mean, it would? Wouldn’t it? Surely? yes? Rother in space… think of it ….. Him talking and no one listening ?????

Welcome back to hob nob Rother you are better off down here boring the shite out of people

[SPARTA]

Big Sam confirmed he left of his own accord.

[Maguire]

If anyone didn't hear the interview, Brian was absolutely categorical in his statement that Wally wouldn't come back.

Not "well no plans at this moment in time", an outright statement that he'd never be back.

[DOYLERSAROYALER]

Big Sam confirmed he left of his own accord.

..but only after he'd replaced him

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... ision.html