Thursday 23 November 2017 18:48, UK
West Brom defender Gareth McAuley has opened up on the difficulties facing the club following the sacking of Tony Pulis.
The Welshman was dismissed after failing to win a league game since August and was met by boos following a 4-0 home defeat to Chelsea in his final match in charge.
McAuley, who signed for West Brom in 2011, had worked with Pulis for almost two years.
With the club a point away from the relegation zone, McAuley spoke with Sky Sports News of the club's decision to part ways with Pulis.
"We're in a difficult place," he said. "The club have felt that there may not be a light at the end of the tunnel and they probably felt change was the best way to maybe get a response."
The Northern Ireland defender is yet to speak with Pulis since his sacking but was grateful for the opportunity he gave him.
"He was good for me at the football club," he added. "I was signing one-year deals and he was keeping me here and he could have moved me on.
"It was good working with him and just the run of form that we've been on and the way it is in modern day football. You don't get an awful lot of time to try turn things around. We've just got to get together and move on from it."
McAuley admitted that there is discussion in the dressing room about who comes in next.
"The players do talk about it but there's been any number of names been thrown in there," he said.
"It's a great football club, it's a great job and the squad of players that we have, I believe have the quality to not be where we are in the league.
"Whoever does come in has a good squad to work with."
Michael O'Neill, who McAuley has worked with at international level, is one of the names linked with the job.
McAuley complimented the Northern Ireland boss, claiming he would be able to adjust to a job at club level if he chooses to make the switch.
"He's definitely got the qualities with how he works with the players and the relationship he sort of has with the players," he said.
"Any one of the lads that you ask would say the same. They'd run through brick walls for him.
"I'm sure one day he will get a club job, it may be different the international scene to club management but from what I've seen he certainly got the tools that he can make that transition."
Gary Megson has been placed in charge of first-team affairs until further notice as West Brom travel to face Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley on Saturday.
