James McClean's third season with West Brom ended with the ultimate low - relegation from the Premier League. Beyond the club falling though the trap door, it was a frustrating season personally for the Derry man.
McClean started 14 games for the club - six of those came when Darren Moore took over as manager in April. It was under Tony Pulis and Alan Pardew where McClean usually warmed the bench.
"I wanted to leave in January and made no secret of that," McClean told the Irish Mirror.
"I told the manager and chief executive at the time that I wanted to go."
That possible move was one to Derby. The Championship side were interested but were put off by West Brom's £15 million valuation of the 29-year-old Irish international.
There was also interest from Burnley earlier in the season.
With the move to Burnley in August, I was disappointed that didn’t come off. I was playing at the time so I figured ‘alright, it’s not too bad’.
But just because a manager (Sean Dyche) fancies you in one window doesn’t mean he’ll do in the next one. If you dwell on things that didn’t happen, it’ll wreck your head.
The club relegated, McClean is open to the possibility of leaving the Hawthorns. Over the weekend, after playing for an Ireland XI against Celtic in Scott Brown's testimonial, McClean spoke of his long-term desire to play at Parkhead.
"I wanted to leave but the same thing happened; the club saying that I wasn’t going anywhere. The usual ‘you’re vital’, but as soon as the window closed, I didn’t play again.
"It was a difficult season in that sense. I had two good opportunities to leave for regular football but they denied me both times and didn’t play me. It was very tough."
Picture credit: Sportsfile
