Onwards: A Journeyman Career

Unknown American takes charge
Tim Wright, 23, takes the reins at Westerlo

The Guardian, Monday 2 December 2013 22.00 GMT




Westerlo were relegated two years ago after a solid decade in the top flight

In what has been hailed in Belgium as one of the most unusual appointments in recent memory, young American manager Tim Wright has been given the manager’s seat at Westerlo. The 23-year-old has no recorded experience in professional football, and the news of the appointment have made its way around Europe, garnering reactions bordering on incredulity.

Chairman Herman Wijnants defended his decision: “Tim has demonstrated his tactical and psychological knowledge of the game. After two years in the second division, we felt we needed to change things. He will bring us that different perspective.”

Westerlo currently sit in the bottom half of the Belgian second division after starting the season with 2 wins out of nine. The last month was better, but Wijnants grew impatient with manager Dennis van Wijk, who was known for his defensive set-up. Wright is said to prefer a more attractive, attacking system.

There were understandable concerns that, at such a tender age and with a language barrier, Wright would fail to gain the confidence of his players. He downplayed those concerns to the assembled media at his first press conference.

“I don’t see that as a problem. Football is football, and the players here are professionals.”

Westerlo, despite its long history as a club, has had little success to its name. A 2001 cup win at the beginning of its most recent—and most successful—period in the top flight is the only major silverware in the club’s trophy cabinet. “I’m joining an ambitious club, no question. The hunger is there to return to the top flight, and we’re going to give it a real shot in the next few years.”

Forward Raphael Lecomte, the club’s captain, welcomed the appointment: “I’m looking forward to working [with Wright]. He has spoken to me about how he sees me playing and the system we will use. He wants to attack and entertain the supporters. I have no problems with that.”

Wright will have a week with his players before being thrown right into action, as Westerlo travel to Geel on Sunday. With the attention gathered by his unusual appointment, Wright will be facing pressure to deliver, or be laughed off as the latest American import to Europe to fail.

American manager makes strides in Belgium
Wright justifies appointment with strong first season

The Guardian, Monday 15 May 2014 12.00 GMT




Westerlo finished a lofty fifth place, despite a rocky start

The appointment of American Tim Wright, 24, as manager of Belgian second division side Westerlo in December sparked a flurry of attention. Many questioned the appointment given his youth, lack of experience, and the language barrier. But now, after a hot start to his professional career, Wright has put many of his critics to rest, as his side finished fifth, just one point off a playoff spot.

“We had a good season. Now it’s time to build on that and push for promotion next term.”

Wright faces a personnel dilemma, however, as the majority of his first team have contracts that expire next month.

“It’s something we’ll have to look at and evaluate in the next few weeks. Some players we would love to have back. [forward Raphael] Lecomte, [goalkeeper] Koen, and others have been very important to us. And whoever we can’t bring back, we’ll have to find new players to fill their spots. We’ll be looking to keep, and sign, players who want to be here and who have the ambition, drive, and work ethic to succeed. That’s the profile we want.”

Known for favoring an attacking style, Wright will rely on captain Raphael Lecomte to lead the team forward. The Frenchman did not score many goals this season, but was a key factor in the team’s rapid attack. He is confident in Wright and in the team’s chances next season.

“Can we get promotion next year? I think so. We have seen what the manager can do and how he can get us playing. I have faith.”

The Belgian media have painted Wright’s surprise success as a sign that Belgium have truly become Americanized. The Westerlo supporters, however, don’t care that their manager is a foreign import. The results have spoken for themselves, and the supporters are cautiously optimistic.

Good luck mate, like the way its written, good first season too!

Good luck! Unlucky to just finish outside of the play offs!

This is written really well mate, keep it up!

Good start, love the way it's written and KIU.

Westerlo captain faces three months out
Surging Belgian side lose Lecomte to hamstring tear

The Guardian, Monday 2 Feb 2015 08.00 GMT




Raphael Lecomte celebrates his 9th goal of the season

Westerlo, the Belgian second division side, is flying high in first place with two-thirds of the season gone, but the loss of their talismanic forward and captain Raphael Lecomte will put their promotion bid into considerable doubt. The Frenchman, known for his bursts of pace and steady finishing, will likely miss the rest of the season with a torn hamstring. The injury occurred in the 70th minute against Cercle Brugge, when the forward pulled up lame. The match would end 1-0 to Westerlo.

Manager Tim Wright, the unknown American who took over more than a year ago, remained confident of his team’s chances Monday morning: “This is a team game and we have a good team. Ewout [Denys] or [Stefan] Winkel will have to step up and score goals.”

26-year-old Lecomte, who was not made available for comment, is a relative veteran at Westerlo. The team underwent a squad transformation in the summer, when no less than thirteen new players were brought in. The two players Wright spoke of were part of that revolution.

With three months left in the season, Westerlo remain the bookies’ favorites to land promotion to the Pro League despite the injury. Indeed, their last ten matches will give supporters reason to continue believing. During that run, which included nine wins, Lecomte scored just 1 goal while unheralded 27-year-old Ewout Denys scored 9.

“The manager told me that he expects me to score the goals for the team,” Denys told reporters after the match in his native Dutch. “I’m ready. I’m confident. I've been scoring recently and I think I can continue it.”

Westerlo are 6 points ahead of second placed Hoogstraten with a game in hand. With 11 matches remaining, there is some--but not much--room for error. The top team in the Belgian second division are automatically promoted to the top flight. Second place enters a four-team playoff for promotion.

League table:

Good to see a playoff place is secured, hopefully you can battle away without your captain for a few months!

Westerlo win Belgacom League
Belgian second division champions rescue draw in dramatic fashion to seal place in top flight

The Guardian, Saturday 4 Apr 2015 09.30 GMT




Westerlo return to the top flight after three seasons out

Westerlo are headed back to the Pro League after splitting the points in dramatic fashion with second-place Hoogstraten. Two goals by substitutes right at the end of the match ensured Westerlo’s gap at the top was secure, and thousands of supporters stormed the pitch to celebrate at the final whistle.

“This is a fantastic day for all Westerlo supporters,” said chairman Herman Wijnants, after the game. “I thought we had lost it. A goal in the 92nd minute to win promotion? Incredible.”

The team entered the season as 5th favorites for the title, with question marks over the American manager and the squad, which counted 13 new players. Those questions were answered quickly, however, as Westerlo shot up to the top of the table early in the season and stayed there.

Led by 28-year-old striker Ewout Denys (20 goals) and captain Raphael Lecomte (10 goals), Westerlo won plaudits for its swashbuckling style of play, which emphasizes rapid ball movement and numbers in attack. Nine wins on the bounce in December and January appeared to put them out of sight, before a hamstring injury to Lecomte and a surge of wins from Hoogstraten made things tricky. While a loss last night would not have counted Westerlo out, a draw was enough to ensure them the title.

In his post-match speech to the supporters, who had all but emptied the stands onto the field, manager Tim Wright spoke passionately in his best Dutch. “This trophy and this promotion are thanks to your support. It’s time now to look forward and make you all proud. This club belongs in the Pro League, and now we are there.”

Westerlo will face a stiff challenge staying in the top flight next term, as they face the likes of Anderlecht, Genk, and Standard Liege. They will be the pre-season favorites to return to the second division. The supporters, however, have faith that their young American manager will win survival—if not more. At the very least, they can look forward to welcoming the giants of Belgium to the Kuipje in Westerlo.

League table:

Congrats on winning the league pal.

Nice! Congrats man!

Well done matey!

Thanks everyone! I'm really curious to see where this takes me, with no real aim. Much appreciated that you're all following

Financial woes limit Westerlo
Newly promoted Belgian club are bottom after quiet transfer period

The Guardian, Monday 15 Sep 2015 09.30 GMT




Westerlo’s troubles were compounded by a horror start to the fixture list

Life as the new club in the top flight is difficult enough, but when you have a murderous August fixture list and financial limitations, it can be nigh impossible. This is the problem facing Westerlo and manager Tim Wright, who are still awaiting their first victory, six matches into the new season. They have just two goals to show from those matches, which included each of last season’s top five.

Rumors of financial difficulty began in July, after the club released many of the players who had helped the club reach the top flight. Former captain Raphael Lecomte was the most notable of the departed, which also included striker Sherjill MacDonald. Just three players would come in to fill the ranks.

In a letter to the supporters posted in the matchday guide against Anderlecht, Wright explained the situation: “Getting promoted comes with a cost, and after all of the contractual bonuses were satisfied, we had to scale back. Some of the wage demands were well beyond our resources.”

Newly appointed captain Ewout Denys, who scored 20 goals least season to lead Westerlo to promotion, has been handed the keys to the attack. He has scored just one goal in six to start the season. Strong midfielder Thibaut Van Acker has had to fill in at right-back. Forward Stefan Winkel is injured for four months.

That hasn’t stopped the supporters from piling into the Kuipje, as sell-out crowds watched Westerlo draw Standard and lose tight matches to Genk and Anderlecht.

Wright remains calm and confident, despite the difficult start. “We are always sad to see players leave, but I—and you—should be confident in the players that remain. This is a proud club, and I see us in this league, at this level, for the foreseeable future.”

Westerlo survive
Belgian club win relegation playoff to stay in the top flight

The Guardian, Monday 23 May 2016 07.30 GMT




Westerlo score against Cercle Brugge to win playoff

In September, Westerlo manager Tim Wright promised his team’s supporters that they would survive their first year back in the top flight. And while it ended up being closer than he would have liked, he fulfilled that promise yesterday by winning the Relegation Playoff to secure another season in the top flight.

The club finished the regular phase of the season at the bottom of the table, with just 22 points from 30 matches. Three goals from captain Ewout Denys and an unbeaten record against Cercle Brugge did the job in a five-match playoff, while three second division sides in the relegation playoff, including a strong Sint-Truidense side, would offer little resistance as Westerlo survived.

In a season marred with financial problems, Wright will be pleased to have avoided the drop. With Denys in poor form and injuries to other crucial attackers, Westerlo were often unable to score goals. 20 goals in 30 regular season matches duly exemplify those problems. The arrival of January signing Pedro Henrique from Portugal’s Setubal did little to help, as the striker scored just 1 goal.

A stout and well-drilled defense, led by goalkeeper Koen van Langendonck, did their best to keep Westerlo in matches, and would prove the difference during the playoffs. Against Cercle Brugge, Westerlo kept four clean sheets, which did most of the work in securing passage to the relegation playoff.

Wright knows that they will have work to do if Westerlo are to avoid the drop again next term: “The work started weeks ago, but it moves forward in earnest today. We need quality. It’s that simple. We have contracts expiring that will open up the budget, but we have to make the right decisions. It won’t be easy.”

Westerlo will certainly be the pre-season favorites for the drop yet again. It will be up to their young American manager and a constantly changing first team squad to ensure they survive another year.

Bernardo Silva set for Westerlo medical
Tim Wright: “Bernardo has a top pedigree”

The Guardian, Thursday 5 Jan 2017 15.00 GMT




Bernardo Silva is a product of the famed Benfica academy

According to reports in Belgium, mid-table Westerlo are set to complete the signing of Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva from Benfica, pending a successful medical. The 22-year-old has traveled to Belgium ahead of his free transfer.

Westerlo have surprised many this season and sit in 8th place, locked in a tight battle for European places that sees just four points separating the sides from 5th to 9th. American manager Tim Wright has spoken of the need to inject top quality into his team, and Silva appears to be his chosen man. Upon completion of his move, Silva is expected to join summer signing Vitor Goncalves in Wright’s new-look attack.

Wright was coy when asked to comment: “Bernardo Silva is a player I admire. Any manager will want a player with his intelligence and ability on the ball, but he is a Benfica player and that's all I can say.”

With nine matches left to go before the playoff phase, Westerlo are pushing for a spot in the top 6, which qualifies them for the Championship playoff. That would be an incredible accomplishment for a side many tipped for relegation at the beginning of the season.

Tim Wright confirmed as Sevilla Atletico manager
American signs a one-year contract with Sevilla’s reserve side

The Guardian, Monday 3 July 2017 12.00 GMT




Wright guided his former club to a record high position last season

Sevilla have confirmed the appointment of Tim Wright as their reserve team’s manager on a one-year contract.

Sevilla first team manager, Unai Emery, said: “Tim has all of the ideals we are looking for at our club. It is clear that he has a progressive vision of how football should be played and taught. The club are excited to have a talent join the club. Tim is passionate about youth and about football, and I look forward to working closely with him.”

In Spain, reserve clubs play in the same league structure as the first team. Sevilla Atletico currently sit in the third tier, the Segunda B division.

Wright arrives following a four-year spell at Westerlo in Belgium, who he led to a 2nd division title, followed by a fifth-place finish this past year in the top flight. Westerlo was his managerial role.

The young American manager, 27, is known for an attacking brand of football. He plays a progressive system that features three central defenders and lightning quick forward play.

Wright said: “I’m thrilled to be a part of a club with so much history. The first-team squad is immensely talented, and the youths are some of the best in the country. The way they play football in Spain is one I love, and I cannot wait to get started and experience it for myself.”

Sporting Kansas City hire Tim Wright as head coach





Sporting Kansas City have hired New York native Tim Wright as their head coach with immediate effect, after Peter Vermes left the club for Real Salt Lake last week.

Wright has spent all of his career so far in Europe. He was most recently coach at Sevilla's reserve team and led the team to a championship in the third tier of Spanish soccer. Prior to that, he spent four years at Westerlo in Belgium.

“I am determined to build this club back to where it has been, and should be. The Sporting supporters, the city of Kansas City, and the club itself have so much pride. It’s time we show the league that once again,” Wright said on Sunday.

Kansas City are currently 8th in the Eastern Conference and some way off of a playoff spot with a 6-4-10 record. They have struggled to fill the 27,000 seats in Sporting Park this season as the team has disappointed on the field.

Co-owner Neal Patterson said Wright is “perfect for this job. He has such a strong view of how the game should be played. We think our fans will love his modern brand of soccer. He is the right fit for us, and we are the right fit for him.”

Wright, 27, will be thrown into the mix immediately, with a home game against Philadelphia Union on Saturday. He is confident that the playoffs are still a possibility. “This team has the players to make a push for [the playoffs]. Isaac Cuenca has such great pedigree and Graham Zusi is an institution. It’s the target I’ve set and the players know that’s what we’re aiming for.”

Posted 7/15/2018 11:55 PM

Sevilla Atletico Final Table (2017-18)

FC Dallas falls to Sporting Kansas City 1-0



Gerardo Padillo’s second goal of the season in the 88th minute extended Sporting Kansas City’s unbeaten streak to six games. His close-range header was a deserved winning goal for Sporting, who peppered Gabriel Araujo’s goal all game long.

Six games into his MLS career, head coach Tim Wright has won plaudits for his team’s daring brand of attacking football. His unusual formation, with just three defenders rather than the usual four, has surprised many with its effectiveness.

With the win, Kansas City move into seventh in the Easter Conference, just five points behind Philadelphia Union with ten games left to play. Philadelphia have just eight games left.



“This is a sign of progress,” Wright said after the game. “The goal was a bit late coming, but we were a menace and I thought we deserved it. Isaac played a great ball in and Gerry did a great job finishing it.”

Sporting travel to Washington D.C. next to play D.C. United, who are currently first in the Eastern Conference. Wright knows that his team will have to keep winning games to continue their push for a playoff spot.

“This is a tough league, and D.C. United are a tough team. We have to keep making up ground—and winning in D.C. is another step in that process.”

That game is on Saturday evening.

Posted 8/26/2018 12:30 AM

Toronto FC tops Sporting Kansas City on penalties to advance



Marcelo Morgan's missed penalty gave Toronto FC a hard-fought victory as they defeated Sporting Kansas City to advance to the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.

Injury-stricken Sporting Kansas City, who advanced to the Wild Card round by winning its last four matches, dominated throughout, but failed to hit the target with any of their 13 shots. The team missed the services of Graham Zusi and striker Andy McQueen, the club's top goalscorers during the regular season.

The two teams had last faced each other in September, when a rampant Sporting Kansas City won 3-0. Coach Tim Wright had hoped to repeat the performance, but in the end, a tense penalty shootout would rob them of that chance.



“We just didn't have the luck," Wright said. "We've been in great form this past month, and we were great again today. Gerardo and isaac were fantastic up front, but we just couldn't find the net."

Toronto committed 25 fouls and were issued 8 yellow cards, including a second yellow for midfielder Michael Bradley, who will miss the Semi-Finals. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann said his team's defensive efforts won the day. "We were very, very good defensively. They have some good attackers and they play very fluid soccer, and we had to be perfect to keep them out."

Sporting head into the off-season with more questions than answers, as rookie coach Tim Wright prepares for his first off-season with Kansas City.

"Look, the goal after you make the playoffs is to win the thing. We couldn't do that this year, but that's the target for next year. No one thought we would even make the playoffs this year. No one is going to think we can win the MLS next year. It's our job to prove everyone wrong."


Posted 11/1/2018 11:00 PM

2018 Wild Card Round

Sporting Kansas City sign Wayne Rooney





33-year-old Wayne Rooney arrived in Kansas City today to sign a two-year contract with the club. The forward's Manchester United contract had expired in July, and Rooney's long-awaited move to the MLS is now complete. He is the third player to join coach Tim Wright's winter renovation in the past week, following midfielder Markus Bay's move from Atletico Madrid and defender Igor Armas's move from Russia club Rubin Kazan.

There are some concerns about the fitness and commitment levels of the player, who has not played a competitive fixture in over two years. Wright had no such concerns, "We are delighted to welcome a player with such a long history of winning. Wayne will be an integral part of the project here, on and off the field."

Rooney will be handed the #10 shirt, and is projected to be one of the three advanced midfielders in Wright's fluid system. "I'm very happy to be here," Rooney said. "The manager is building a young side, and I am looking forward to helping this club advance."

Sporting finished 6th in the Eastern Conference last season, advancing to the playoffs for the first time in three seasons before losing to Philadelphia on penalties. Wright has been handed considerable backing from the ownership team to refresh the squad with younger talent and make a push for the MLS Cup this season.


Posted 1/23/2019 3:00 PM

Sporting start brightly



Sporting Kansas City has started the season with real intent, as last year's 6th place team looks to improve on that standing. The team, led by striker Alejandro Talbot's 8 goals, has won the first five games of the new season by a combined score of 17-3 and drawing sold-out crowds to Sporting Park.

Manager Tim Wright has revitalized his team with a raft of major signings, including new captain Wayne Rooney. There were some question marks about their ability to mesh with so much change, but the team has put those questions to bed with emphatic results early in the season.

The team that took the field in a 4-2 drubbing in LA against the Galaxy featured 8 players who were not at the club last season, including two Designated Players: striker Alejandro Talbot was signed from DC United for a future draft pick, and forward Armando Villa was brought in from Argentina's Colon. Top draft picks Tom Benjamin (GK) and Liam Pollard (CM) have also made an instant impact.



Wright has been quiet with the media, preferring to let the results do the talking. He has continuously deflected questions about his team's ability to make it deep into the MLS Cup playoffs, despite publicly setting that target at the end of last season.

"We're just taking it one game at a time," Wright said after Saturday's 5-0 win in Houston. "We have a very young team who are just starting to get to know each other. This is a long season and we'll see where we end up."

The Sporting supporters certainly believe that their team can reach the set targets, as they have come out in huge numbers to see the new-look squad. The first two home games this year have already surpassed last year's average attendance by nearly ten thousand.


Posted 3/24/2019 12:00 PM

First 5 matches (2019)

Good results in MLS

You signed Wayne Rooney?! Massive signing.

Sporting Kansas City win MLS Supporters' Shield



Sporting Kansas City has won the MLS Supporters' Shield after amassing the best regular season record this year after LA Galaxy lost to Chivas in their season closer.

While not considered a major prize, coach Tim Wright will view this accomplishment as a springboard towards MLS Cup success as his team gears up for their two-legged Semi-Final against the winner of Thursday's Wild Card between New England and Philadelphia. They will have confidence against either opponent, having defeated both 4-0 at home during the regular season.

Wright's team have been rampant the entire season, leading the league with 62 goals scored. Alejandro Talbot led the way, with the 22-year-old scoring 21 goals to go along with 11 assists. Midfielders Wayne Rooney and Markus Bay were the creative fulcrum of the team, with 15 assists between them.

"This is just a taste for all of you," Wright said after the game in front of a sold-out crowd at Sporting Park. "We don't intend to be finished winning trophies this season. Not yet."



Wright's summer recruitment drive has gathered much attention this season, as he's significantly improved a team that squeezed into the playoffs last year in just one off-season. The headline acquisition was veteran Wayne Rooney, but Rooney's influence has been less than expected. Much more impressive was trading for Talbot, drafting midfielder Liam Pollard and keeper Tom Benjamin--who started nearly every match, and signing midfielder Markus Bay.

Tellingly, of the goals scored by Sporting this season, only 12 came from players who were on the roster last year.

"There are 6 more matches left, and we want to win them all," said captain Wayne Rooney. "This playoff structure is unfamiliar to me, but the boys have been telling me all about it. We're a young team and we're very hungry to win this trophy."

Most frightening for the rest of the MLS will be the youth of the team, with the exception of Rooney. Talbot, Pollard, and Benjamin are all 22 or younger. Designated Player Armando Villa is also 22. Even if they fail to win the MLS Cup this year, this Sporting team will not disappear anytime soon.


Posted 10/27/2019 11:00 PM

Final Standings (2019)

Sporting Kansas City 3-1 Vancouver Whitecaps: movement in the channels crucial for Sporting
December 8, 2019


Sporting won their first MLS Cup in nearly twenty years after a thoroughly impressive performance.

Troost-Ekong returned to Tim Wright’s side after missing the play-offs through injury, while Jamie Brown controversially replaced Wayne Rooney in attack. Carl Robinson chose a 4-5-1 system, with Player of the Year Dilly Duka at right midfield and David Silva at left midfield.

The movement and finishing ability of Sporting’s two best players, Alejandro Talbot and Markus Bay, was very impressive throughout, and led the way to a clear Kansas City victory.

Formations
The first half tactical battle was interesting, with Wright’s 3-4-3 against a 4-5-1. Sporting was narrow with the wing-backs providing the only width, while Vancouver spread play to the flanks through their playmakers, Duka and Silva. The Whitecaps theoretically had a 2v1 on both flanks, but did little to take advantage. Both Paul Noble and Homero Molina, the Vancouver full backs, weren’t brave enough to venture forward, knowing the damage Pawel Olkowski and Mark Clark could do surging forward.

In the middle, Vancouver’s three-man midfield sat deep to eliminate space between the lines for Sporting’s forward’s to play. As a result, Sporting’s two deep-lying midfielders enjoyed time and space to pick out forward passes as their three forward players occupied five Vancouver defenders. Indeed, it was the clever movement and interchange between Bay and Talbot resulted in all three of Sporting’s goals. The pattern of play was consistent with how Sporting played all season—Talbot worked the channels, or dropped deep to allow Bay to run into space beyond. Vancouver knew this was the pattern, but, like most teams in the MLS this year, had no way to stop it.

Key battlezone
With Vancouver dropping all three central midfielders deep, it was critical that they communicated well between the back-line and the midfield three. Alejandro Talbot is an extremely intelligent player, and he frequently dropped into midfield into the same zone as Bay to give Vancouver’s players, particularly Gershon Koffie, a headache. Immediately after the second half restart, Talbot dragged a Whitecaps defender into the midfield zone with him, then flicked the ball into space for Bay to run onto, and finish.


At 2-0, Robinson responded by removing Koffie for Gary Peterson, a striker, and switched to a 4-4-2 system, using his full-backs to form a narrow back four. In theory, this was a smart move, essentially closing space in the central zones and ceding the flanks to Kansas City. In practice, Sporting scored their third goal in remarkably similar fashion to their second, showing that their movement between the lines remained difficult for Vancouver to deal with.

Conclusion
The main factor here was the movement and interchange up top. Sporting dominated possession and pinned the Whitecaps back, and used runners in midfield and along the flanks to stretch and penetrate. Talbot’s Man of the Match performance was a continuation of his fantastic season, and a fine end to his first season with Kansas City.



MLS Cup Final full match stats:

Bournemouth appoint American Tim Wright
MLS winner Wright signs two year deal at the Goldsands

The Guardian, Thursday 5 Mar 2020 15.00 GMT




The Cherries currently sit 18th, just two points above the relegation zone

Under-performing Bournemouth have made the surprising decision to appoint American Tim Wright, 29, from Sporting Kansas City in the MLS. Wright returns to Europe after two years in America, where he won the top division title, but has never managed in England.

Previous manager Paul Lambert was sacked nearly two weeks ago amid mounting pressure on the Cherries to drag themselves out of the relegation scrap. Many had tipped Bournemouth for a place in the promotion playoffs at the beginning of the season, and their current position of 18th will be hugely disappointing.

Wright comes with a reputation of overachieving with the resources at his disposal. He began his career at Belgian side Westerlo, where he achieved promotion to the top flight within two years. After two successful years in the Belgian top division, he moved to Sevilla Atletico, where he won promotion in his first year. Kansas City came knocking, and Wright’s nearly two years there ended in a MLS title.

Now he faces a much more difficult challenge at a Bournemouth side bereft of confidence.

“I’m extremely proud to be here. This club has come so far, and its supporters deserve much, much more. I can’t wait to get to know the players, the club, and the fantastic support over the next months and years.”

Bournemouth was last relegated from the Premier League two seasons ago, and nearly returned last season before losing in the playoffs. They had hoped to repeat the feat this season, but poor form has put them closer to League 1 than the Premier League. The supporters will hope that Wright can not only pull them to safety this season, but also make a push for promotion soon.

Wright will be thrown right into the thick of things, taking charge of his first match on Saturday at Loftus Road against Q.P.R. Manager Steve Bruce expressed his surprise at the appointment, but others in the Championship have been more supportive, including Brentford manager Ian Holloway.

What tempted you to move to Bournemouth?

They've got a solid squad and are hugely underperforming... it hopefully won't take long to get to the Premier League, which should raise my profile