Former Super Eagles striker, Victor Anichebe (The Beast) has come out with a hint that the sack of Darren Moore by West Bromwich Albion of England had a touch of racism in it.
Sports247,ng can report that Anichebe was taken aback with news of 44-year-old Moore’s sack last weekend, following his inability to win in four straight matches, but the former fiery striker argues that other less productive managers get longer time to prove themselves.
Anichebe took another look at precedents, and the 30-year-old widely traveled soccer star is of a view that officials at one of the clubs he lined out for during his days in England never gave Moore enough respect.
The Beijing 2008 Olympics silver medalist pointed out that Moore is one of few black coaches in England and argued that his performances since taking charge of West Brom deserves praise, not the sack.
Following their relegation from the English top-flight last season, Moore set The Baggies up for a quick return to the Premier League, and already had them in a top-four spot on the Championship log.
While many pundits were also amazed at Albion’s decision to sack the former Portsmouth central defender, Anichebe confessed that he was alarmed and alleged that it could have been motivated by racism.
Anichebe alluded: “It actually made me sick. I just thought it was a joke. A lot of people talk about the he’s black. I believe if it were somebody else, he would not have been sacked.
“Somebody said West Brom gave him a chance. People say ‘oh, he was just there at the right time’.
“They’re talking about opportunity, but he’s one of the only black ones who’s been given a chance. He won eight out of 10 away games.
“Are all other managers fortunate to get an opportunity? No. Tony Pulis was horrendous and they kept him. Look at what happened with Pardew.
“A lot of people will come out and say ‘no, it’s not like that, it’s not like that’, but it is. It’s as simple as that.
“It seemed like they didn’t want to give him the job anyway. But they had to because he did so well.
“And then, at the first run of bad results, they get rid of him. But that’s just football.”
