Sheffield Wednesday had looked at bringing in Reading assistant manager Andrew Sparkes for their vacant goalkeeping coach role.
On Tuesday afternoon Wednesday announced the appointment of former Arsenal and Brighton coach Sal Bibbo as goalkeeping coach, as manager Danny Rohl bolsters his backroom team once again.
According to the Sheffield Star, Bibbo was not the only man being considered for the role, with Sparkes being one of those who was ‘sounded out’ for the role.
But Bibbo was ‘effectively headhunted’ by Rohl, after he was recommended to him but a mutual former colleague.
Bibbo was ‘enthused’ by Rohl’s approach over a Zoom call, which then led to his appointment.
Bibbo is clearly an esteemed and experienced goalkeeping coach, so is a welcome addition to Middlewood Park.
Should Wednesday have got Sparkes instead?
Wednesday should not rue the chance to have got Sparkes. He is currently assistant manager at Reading, who are currently bottom of League One filling relegation from the Championship last season.
He is currently working under Ruben Selles, who was manager of Southampton at the end of last season as they finished bottom of the Premier League.
Whilst Sparkes would have been an experienced addition, as he is contracted to another club, he would have cost compensation, something which owner Dejphon Chansiri is highly unlikely to have sanctioned.
Hopefully, Bibbo will bring some of his experience with the likes of Petr Cech, Bernd Leno and Emiliano Martinez to Wednesday, and help out the two goalkeepers in Devis Vasquez and Cameron Dawson.
Wednesday have shipped the fourth most goals in the Championship this season with 27 goals.
The Owls need to shore up at the back, and hopefully, Bibbo, who has previously been described as an ‘unbelievable coach’,will help that happen.