Standing in a car park after an interview at West Brom’s training ground some years ago, a goodbye with Darren Fletcher turned into a chat about the possibilities of football management.
‘I know who will do it,’ said Fletcher, in the last days of his career as a midfielder. ‘Wayne will do it. I am sure of that. He’s a natural fit. We had dinner just the other night. That boy is obsessed with football. It never stops.’
A week or so after that exchange, Fletcher stood on a stage at an awards dinner and once again paid tribute to his friend.