VfL Wolfsburg manager Paul Simonis has explained to the Dutch media why he didn’t fancy taking the West Bromwich Albion job, and further why the Championship as a whole doesn’t appeal to him.
The Dutchman was reportedly in the running to become the Baggies next manager before Ryan Mason was brought in from Tottenham Hotspur.
Speaking to Voetbal International, Simonis was asked why he hadn’t jumped at the chance to manager West Brom and why he also snubbed other interest from England’s second tier.
Simonis explained he considered it as an option, but the number of games played in the Championship was a big concern, and especially mid-week matches.
Due to him having a young daughter, the 40-year-old believes it would have been the wrong career step if he’d gone to England due to the fixture congestion.
“I thought about what the competition means. There are nineteen midweek games. That means that you mainly travel. In a hotel, out of a hotel. I have a two-year-old daughter, and my girlfriend is from the other side of the world. I want to give them the love and attention they deserve, so I’ve thought carefully about the English clubs,” said the Dutch coach.
Things worked out rather well for Simonis, who was later appointed Wolfsburg manager. The former Go Ahead Eagles boss has signed a two-year deal with the Bundesliga club, who finished 11th last season.
West Ham ultimately brought in Ryan Mason last month after his time as a Tottenham Hotspur coach.
