O’Neill backs Baggies’ Evans to be top manager

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill is confident that West Brom’s Jonny Evans has all the right qualities to be a top-flight manager after his playing days.

The Baggies centre back is only 29, with retirement likely to be a few years away yet, but could be promoted to captain at the Hawthorns after the departure of Darren Fletcher.

And while Evans will be concentrating fully on matters on the field for the time being, O’Neill insisted management is an enjoyable route after retirement from playing.

He said: “Jonny’s very bright, very intelligent, he knows the game and has strong opinions on the game.

“Jonny certainly has all the attributes that you would look for in a manager and he’s got good qualities as a human being as well as a football coach.

(Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)

“Within the squad, they all have capabilities and know the game. We have a lot of people who have a lot of good human qualities that I think would make them a good manager.

“It’s a very challenging career but that’s what makes it enjoyable.

“It’s very difficult to find something after your playing career that will give you that level of focus and that level of challenge, and certainly management does that.”