Albion players turned managers

Football might have this week witnessed the final act of Bryan Robson as a competitive football figure, writes Steve Madeley.

But the sad decline of one of Albion's greatest-ever players at Sheffield United is far from typical of Hawthorns old boys stepping into the dugout.

From Sir Bobby Robson to Johnny Giles, the Baggies' playing staff has spawned a handful of managers with CVs many can only dream of.

And even though "Captain Marvel" has blotted his copybook with unpopular spells back at Albion and at Bramall Lane, the younger Robson did enough at Middlesbrough and for a glorious few weeks at The Hawthorns to consider himself a qualified success in the management game.

His best days in the hotseat were a decade ago now, before the march of time replaced the powerful figure of the former England skipper with the middle-aged figure who was run out of south Yorkshire this week.

But, for thrills and excitement, Boro fans never had it as good as the days when Juninho, Ravanelli, Emerson and Co were striding from the Riverside Stadium to Wembley.

It does now seem, however, that now is the right time for Robson to cut his losses and admit defeat in his battle to crack management.

His last two jobs assignments have ended on a sour note, including a spell that caused severe damage to an Albion reputation that had just about survived his defection as a player.

There is a generation of football fans who know little of Robson – the greatest English midfielder of his generation – and a little too much of Robson who has become the ultimately failed manager.

Despite the success of the Great Escape season, he is in danger of tarnishing a once-great image.

Not so with his namesake and former England manager, who has risen from the role of tabloid punchbag to national treasure.

Sir Bobby Robson is without doubt the Baggies' most successful export into management, even though it was six years from his final Albion appearance to his first taste of management with Fulham.

Sir Bobby led Ipswich through one of their most glorious periods, won league championships in both Holland and Portugal and collected trophies in Spain.

And he found time to lead England to only their second World Cup semi-final – a feat that appears increasingly impressive as years pass without major tournament success or even qualification.

He turns 75 on Monday and he remains one of the nation's most endearing football enthusiasts.

At 67, Johnny Giles' days at the sharp end of the game are long behind him and his two spells in charge at The Hawthorns lasted little more than three years.

Yet many observers, including Baggies legend Cyrille Regis, credit Giles with laying many of the foundations from which Ron Atkinson built his team of entertainers at The Hawthorns.

It was Giles who blooded both Regis and the young Laurie Cunningham and, as player-manager of the Republic of Ireland, he is credited with overseeing a revival in his nation's fortunes.

He is arguably the most successful Albion manager to have played for the club previously with Bryan Robson, Ronnie Allen and Brian Talbot the only other men to have played for and managed the club.

Talbot enjoyed less success in the managerial hotseat, winning just 34 of his 114 games at the helm, while Allen also struggled at Albion with just 18 wins in 57 matches in charge at The Hawthorns.

Yet Allen – reckoned by many to be the club's greatest-ever player – had enjoyed real success down the road at Wolves, building an attractive side during a two-year reign that also including the signing of a certain Derek Dougan.

Elsewhere, Don Howe carved out a reputation as one of the nation's greatest coaches even if his spells in the manager's chair brought mixed success.

And Sam Allardyce might have made just one appearance for the Baggies, but the Dudley-born defender is the most successful manager in recent years to have pulled on the blue and white.

Having guided Bolton to years of over-achievement Big Sam will be back despite his stormy spell at Newcastle.

The same may not be said of Bryan Robson. And it might be for the best.

The full list of Albion players who have gone on to be managers

Ronnie Allen - Wolves 1966-68, Walsall 1973, Albion 1977 and 1981-82.

Sam Allardyce - Blackpool 1994-96, Notts County 1997-99, Bolton 1999-2007, Newcastle 2007-2008.

David Burnside - Bristol City 2000.

John Deehan - Norwich 1994-95, Wigan 1995-98.

Ronnie Fenton - Notts County 1975-77

Doug Fraser - Walsall 1974-77.

Johnny Giles - Albion 1975-77 and 1984-85.

Bobby Gould - Bristol Rovers 1981-83, Coventry 1983-84, Bristol Rovers 1985-87, MK Dons 1987-90, Albion 1991-92, Coventry 1992-93, Cardiff 2000-01, Cheltenham 2003.

Paul Groves - Grimsby 2001-04.

Asa Hartford - Stockport 1987-89, Shrewsbury 1990-91.

Don Howe - Albion 1971-75, Arsenal 1983-86, QPR 1989-91, Coventry 1992.

Geoff Hurst - Chelsea 1979-81.

Martin Jol - Tottenham 2004-07.

John Kaye - Hull 1974-77.

Andy King - Mansfield 1993-93, Swindon 2000-2001 and 2001-2005.

Jimmy Nicholl - Millwall 1996-97, Raith Rovers 1997-99.

Carlton Palmer - Stockport 2001-03, Mansfield 2004-05.

Steve Parkin - Mansfield 1996-99, Rochdale 1999-2001, Barnsley 2001-02, Rochdale 2003-06.

Garry Pendrey - Birmingham 1987-89.

Graham Roberts - Clyde 2006.