Express & Star

Darren Moore: I'll be happy if I achieve half of what Roy Hodgson has

Darren Moore will be over the moon if he achieves just half of what Roy Hodgson has in his 42-year managerial career.

Published
Last updated
Darren Moore and Roy Hodgson on the final day of last season. (AMA)

Moore will be reunited with the former Albion and England head coach at The Hawthorns tonight when his Baggies side take on Crystal Palace in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

The pair have already come up against one another on the final day of last season when a dispirited Albion lost for the first time under Moore after Southampton’s win over Swansea had snuffed out their miracle escape.

Moore has since been handed the reins full-time, and he’s got off to a bright start in his first managerial job, particularly at home, where the Baggies are on a six-game winning streak.

But he’s still planning to lend an ear to one of his coaching heroes at The Hawthorns tonight.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Roy and his team here,” Moore told BBC WM. “He’s a wonderful man, I’ve got the highest respect for Roy and hold him in the highest regard.

“For a young head coach coming into the game I can only aspire to do half of some of the things Roy has done.

“He’s been a phenomenal servant to professional football and deserves all the accolades he gets because he has done wonders for this game.”

Moore officially returned to the Baggies as a youth team coach in June 2012, a month after Hodgson departed for England, but the former centre-back had been coming into help the academy out before that.

He remembers seeing Hodgson’s training methods first hand and being impressed with how he conducted himself around the players.

Former Wolves winger Bakary Sako remains on trial at Albion, and Moore revealed the club were looking at other free agents too.

“It won’t just be Bakary,” said Moore. “We have had a look at many, many players because the opportunity has presented itself for us to do that.

“The thing that is surprising this season is how many free transfers are out there: good solid, excellent players.

“It is quite a unique year. So why not take the opportunity?”