Former Reggae Boy is Set a Goal of a Top-Flight Return
Sheffield Wednesday head coach drives his side to Championship where he’ll tackle former employer
Darren Moore, an ex-Reggae Boy, has taken one giant step closer to returning to the English Premier League (EPL).
The Sheffield Wednesday head coach, who twice represented Jamaica, steered his side to the Championship courtesy of Monday’s extra time winner over South Yorkshire rivals Barnsley Town.
Josh Windass’ 123rd-minute strike, in their tense League One play-off final 1-0 triumph at Wembley Stadium, means that Moore will soon be tackling EPL relegated teams Leicester City, Leeds United and Southampton.
The 49-year-old ex-defender was installed as caretaker manager of West Bromwich Albion in 2018, where he scooped a coveted EPL Manager of Month award, but couldn’t prevent the Midland side’s return to the Championship.
At the time he became only the second boss from the CONCACAF region to tackle the EPL by following in the footsteps of former US national coach Bob Bradley, who was briefly at the helm with Welsh outfit Swansea City boss.
Moore, who secured Wednesday’s return to the second tier after an absence of two seasons, was suddenly sacked by WBA in 2019 for being off the pace for automatic promotion to the EPL.
After landing his new challenge at Doncaster Rovers just four months after getting the boot by West Brom, Moore moved across Yorkshire from the League One highfliers to join Championship relegation-threatened Wednesday in March 2021.
No doubt Birmingham-born Moore will be relishing tackling WBA next term as well as coming up against Leeds for what should be a pair of hotly-contested derbies.
Although his remit will be to maintain Wednesday’s second-tier status for the 2024/25 campaign, promotion to the EPL is viable. Sunderland won back-to-back promotions to reach the top flight in 2004.
However, a squad overhaul will be required and two former Wednesday defenders have become available after being released from their respective Championship sides. Welsh international Morgan Fox is a free agent after proving to be surplus to requirements at Stoke City and Jordan Thorniley has left Blackpool.
Some brilliant business this summer, on top of a rejuvenated squad that hits the ground running for the Championship season, is what’s required for Moore if he fancies another shot at the EPL.
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