Steve Hermon, West Brom commentator for BBC Radio WM
Eric Ramsay’s reign was nothing short of disastrous. His tenure lasted just 44 days, which happens to be the same as Brian Clough’s infamous spell at Leeds United in 1974.
That featured in a movie about the legendary manager’s life, The Damned United, and it had elements of comedy, but if the Welsh head coach’s stay at The Hawthorns were to be made into a film, the genre would have to be horror.
The 34-year-old leaves with a litany of unwanted records.
It is the shortest reign of any permanent Baggies boss in their history, he oversaw their heaviest home defeat in the second tier as they were hammered 5-0 by Norwich City, and his win percentage is 0%.
Taking just four points – courtesy of four draws – in his eight league games has dropped the club deep into a relegation battle.
Ramsay refused to say it, but he knew that Tuesday night’s game with Charlton Athletic was a must-win.
He told me in his interview after the 1-1 draw that it wasn’t good enough and that “what will be, will be”, as if knowing what was to come just minutes later.
The former Minnesota United boss and his assistant, Dennis Lawrence, were summoned into a boardroom meeting with chairman Shilen Patel after his media duties were complete, and the axe fell.
The Welshman accepted in his final interview with me that he was “not blameless”, and while he is no doubt a clever man, switching immediately to a 3-4-3 formation with players not equipped to play that way was not a smart move.
He promptly ditched it after another loss to Portsmouth.
Questions must also be asked of the players, whose failure to take chances has led to a second sacking of the season, and the third in less than a year, but the hierarchy must also provide answers to the fans.
Their naive decision to give the job to a second young head coach in a row has put the club at risk of an unthinkable drop into the third tier for only the second time in their history.
But there won’t be time to analyse a host of mistakes now.
James Morrison begins a third spell in interim charge in the space of less than 11 months.
The former midfielder is unbeaten in the three games he’s overseen and said, in his own words after the Swansea City FA Cup victory just hours before Ramsay’s arrival six weeks ago, West Brom is “in his DNA”.
With 12 games to go, he will do all he can to keep the club he loves in the Championship.
Meanwhile, back at boardroom level, and just days before the second anniversary of his takeover of the club, Patel will begin the search for his fourth head coach.
Gordon Ramsay is seen holding back tears during his daughter’s engagement party in scenes that have now aired on his Netflix documentaryCredit: Not known, clear with picture deskThe TV chef got emotional while his daughter made a speech at the bashCredit: Not known, clear with picture deskHolly and swimmer Adam have since gotten married in a stunning Bath ceremonyCredit: Instagram/@hollyramsayy
In the six-part series, Being Gordon Ramsay, swimming champ Adam and his fiancée Holly are seen throwing a lavish bash with Adam’s mum Caroline in attendance.
Holly and Adam’s engagement party is caught on film – with both the Ramsay and Peaty families in attendance.
During the evening, Holly thanks her fiancé Adam for his constant love and support.
And while she gives the speech, Gordon is seen holding back tears while watching on with his wife Tana.
Elsewhere during the evening, Gordon was filmed saying: “The most important family is the one you create and she [Holly] comes from an incredible family so its now her time to create her own family. It is quite a moment.”
The party marked one of the last times that the Ramsay family were with the Peaty clan before their public feud imploded.
Despite Gordon having a close relationship with his son-in-law, Adam’s parents have publicly blasted the family after they weren’t invited to Holly’s hen do and were later uninvited to the wedding.
Holly’s mum Tana and close family friend Victoria Beckham were invited on the hen do, but Caroline was left off the guest list.
The family have since been in a war of words during their very bitter feud.
BROOKLYN Beckham has sent a clear message to Gordon Ramsay after the chef publicly urged him to “remember where he came from” amid his ongoing family row with mum and dad, David and Victoria.
In an exclusive interview with The Sun this week, Gordon revealed that, despite being close mates with David Beckham, he had maintained contact with Brooklyn after his family fallout alongside wife, Nicola Peltz.
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Brooklyn has unfollowed Gordon on Instagram after his public statement about his family feudCredit: GettyGordon was close to Brooklyn, and even taught him some tricks as he aspired to be a chefCredit: GettyGordon is certain that the family will mend over timeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Having taken aspiring chef Brooklyn under his wing for a while, Gordon praised his “incredible heart” but warned that his eagerness to “forge his own path” had him in danger of forgetting “where he came from”.
Now, within hours of the interview being published, Brooklyn has added his former mentor to the list of people he’s now unfollowed on Instagram.
At the time of writing, Gordon is still following Brooklyn, meaning that he’s not been blocked by the 26-year-old.
A source told MailOnline: “Brooklyn and Nicola clearly don’t want any criticism at all, they just don’t want to hear any negativity about themselves.
“They must hate being talked about unless it’s gushing. Maybe they don’t like the truth.”
The Beckhams and the Ramsays have had a long-standing relationship and close bond, with Brooklyn growing up alongside Gordon’s son, Jack, who’s also 26.
It’s believed that Gordon is even godparent to 14-year-old Harper Seven, the youngest of the Beckham children. At the least, he was one point in the running.
During our interview with Gordon – who was promoting his upcoming Netflix series Being Gordon Ramsay – he opened up about what was going on inside the Beckham household, and his belief that things at some point will smooth over.
“It’s a very difficult situation,” he explained. “Victoria is upset, and I know 24/7, seven days a week, just how much David loves Brooklyn.
“Brooklyn and I have messaged a little bit, our relationship is solid. I love him – his heart is incredible – but it’s hard, isn’t it, when you’re infatuated?
“Love is blind. It’s easy to get up on that rollercoaster, and get carried away. But it will come back.”
“He’s desperate to forge his own way, and I respect that from him. It’s such a good thing to do,” he added. “But remember where you came from.
“And honestly, one day you’re not going to have your mum and dad, and you need to understand that. That penny will drop.
“I just want Brooklyn to take a moment to himself. And remember: you’re half mum, half dad. And you’re an amazing young man.
“But, boy, they’ve done more for you than anyone did in your entire life.”
Gordon has warned Brooklyn ‘not to forget where he came from’ and hopes the family will get back on trackCredit: Getty
“Time’s going to be the best healer, and David will absolutely get that relationship back on track,” he added.
The Beckham family have continued to make small gestures in a bid to reach out to Brooklyn – despite his public six-page statement cutting all ties from the family.
Today, little sister Harper made a post sending a “Happy Valentines to the best big brothers in the world”, sharing a throwback snap of her as a young child with Brooklyn, as well as brothers Romeo and Cruz.
Victoria later reposted the photograph on her own Instagram Stories, but Brooklyn has not publicly responded.
Brooklyn grew up alongside Gordon’s son, JackCredit: GettyBrooklyn publicly cut ties with his family and is living in the US with his wife, NicolaCredit: GettySources reported Nicola and Brooklyn ‘don’t want to hear any criticism’Credit: Instagram
GORDON Ramsay has hailed David and Victoria Beckham as fantastic parents — and said time will help Brooklyn heal their heartbreaking family feud.
The Michelin-starred restauranteur, 59, said he loves the aspiring chef, 26, and has been in contact offering support.
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Gordon Ramsay, a close friend of the Beckhams has offered his advice to BrooklynCredit: ShutterstockBrooklyn, who has cut off all contact with his parents, with wife Nicola PeltzCredit: GettyGordon Ramsay with wife Tana alongside close pals Victoria and David BeckhamCredit: Refer to Caption
“But it’s hard, isn’t it, when you’re infatuated? Love is blind. It’s easy to get up on that rollercoaster, and get carried away. But it will come back.
I know just how many times they have got Brooklyn out of the s***
Gordon on David and Victoria’s parenting
“I’ve seen first-hand just how good parents they are. David as a dad is just incredible.
“They’ve both put so much energy into their kids, and I know just how many times they’ve got Brooklyn out of the s***.
“I think it’s going to be a matter of time before Brooklyn takes a good look at himself and understands just what his parents mean to him.
“He’s desperate to forge his own way, and I respect that from him. It’s such a good thing to do.
“But remember where you came from. And honestly, one day you’re not going to have your mum and dad, and you need to understand that.
“That penny will drop.
“I just want Brooklyn to take a moment to himself. And remember: you’re half mum, half dad. And you’re an amazing young man.
“But, boy, they’ve done more for you than anyone did in your entire life.
‘Time the best healer’
”Time’s going to be the best healer, and David will absolutely get that relationship back on track.”
The chef, who has almost 20million followers, has backed Brooklyn’s cooking endeavours where others were quick to mock.
Meanwhile, Posh and Becks and Gordon and Tana have been pals for nearly 2½ decades.
Of course, Gordon knows about family feuds in the wake of his recent troubles with new son-in-law Adam Peaty’s clan.
He and Tana also went through hell when her dad, Chris Hutcheson, was jailed for six months in 2017 for hacking company computers.
Gordon says: “Tana and I sat them down, and we buried the hatchet with her parents. It’s family, it’s what you do.”
In his damning statement last month, Brooklyn accused his mum of “dancing inappropriately” on him at his wedding.
His friends allege that she “grinded” on the groom. She has since become victim to hundreds of mocking memes.
However unnamed “friends” of the Beckhams hit back at the allegations. Over to Gordon, then, to set the record straight.
Gordon at Brooklyn and Nicola’s weddingCredit: RexThe Sun’s Clemmie Moodie with a beaming GordonCredit: SuppliedOlympic Swimmer Adam Peaty and bride Holly Ramsay on their wedding dayCredit: Splash
He says: “There was nothing salacious. There was nothing inappropriate. Everyone was having fun, having a dance.”
But, Gordon, DID SHE GRIND?
He says: “No! Nothing of the sort. It was fun. I haven’t seen any of the memes, I heard about them of course, but Victoria’s got a great sense of humour.
“She’s great. She’s right to be upset (about the wedding) but she can bat that other s*** away in a heartbeat.
“Victoria and Tana have spoken a lot, they are probably closer than ever – they’re like two peas in a pod, those two.”
When Gordon isn’t playing ace therapist/mediator, he’s been pretty busy on his own terms.
On Wednesday his new six-part Netflix documentary Being Gordon Ramsay airs, detailing his efforts to launch his latest ambitious project.
Britain’s highest eaterie, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay High is on the 60th floor of skyscraper 22 Bishopsgate in the City of London.
I never ever watch myself on telly because it’s just incredibly nerve-wracking.
Gordon Ramsay
The intimate 12-seater chef’s table experience has already earned him another Michelin star.
I’ve seen the show, and it’s brilliant, giving a fly-on-the-wall look into Gordon’s frenetic and fabulous home life – he and Tana have six kids – as well as the hell of getting a new business off the ground.
He smiles: “I won’t watch it. I never ever watch myself on telly because it’s just incredibly nerve-wracking.
“When you’ve done it and lived it, the last thing you want to do is sit there with lots of popcorn. There’s a level of embarrassment.”
‘Getting softer with age’
Even without Gordon’s viewership, it is sure to be another Netflix smash. Contrary to his bravado, away from the kitchen, and whisper it, but Gordon is a bit of a pussycat, and definitely “getting softer with age”.
He regularly cries, he admits.
He turns 60 in November but in the doc we see super-fit Gordon running outdoors with his young son, Oscar, in the gym and pumping weights. He is ripped.
Wife Tana also recently smashed a Half Ironman in Greece, breezily qualifying for the World Championships in the process. They are a truly impressive power duo, and very clearly still massively in love.
HEARTACHE OVER BROTHER’S LECCY PLEA
WHILE Gordon’s father was an alcoholic who died from a heart attack aged 53, his younger brother Ronnie is, tragically, a heroin addict.
Having gone for long swathes of time not speaking, Gordon reveals the pair had a reconciliation of sorts on the phone last week.
Becoming visibly emotional, he recalls: “It was just sad because at the end of that call he said, ‘Did I hear you ask for my bank details? I’ve got no electricity’.
“And so I said, ‘Come on, Ronnie, you know damn well if I knew that was going on electricity, I would. But I know full well that’s going to go on drugs. And it pains me, it kills me, mate.’
“We’ve been down this road so many times.”
Having trained under Marco Pierre White at the age of 35 Gordon set up his first restaurant, winning three Michelin stars shortly after. He now has eateries across the globe, and is arguably the planet’s most famous chef.
His work ethic is relentless – possibly a result of his humble upbringing. In one episode, Gordon gets emotional recalling his own childhood struggles, growing up on a council estate near Glasgow, and relying on school vouchers to eat.
Today, he has teamed up with a fantastic charity, Feeding Britain, to provide 800,000 kids in poverty with affordable food. Gordon has quietly donated “very heavily” to it.
He recalls: “I was hungry all the time, there was no food in the house.
Gordon is now arguably the planet’s most famous chefHe insists time will heal Brooklyn – pictured with Nicola – and his parents’ relationshipCredit: GettyThe celebrity chef has been friends with Posh and Becks for nearly two-and-a-half decadesCredit: Getty
“I was sometimes too embarrassed to use my vouchers to get my free shepherd’s pie in case, you know, aged 15 or 16, a girl I fancied saw me. I was a skinny f***ng bean.
I remember eating toothpaste thinking that was delicious because there were multiple nights where we never ate. It is appalling that we’re in this situation now.”
Meanwhile, Gordon has been a rock for 26-year-old daughter Holly’s new husband, Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty.
Last weekend Gordon said he’d treated the Peaty family “like royalty”, prompting a furious robust from Adam’s estranged mum, Caroline, who was not invited to his and Holly’s December wedding.
She labelled the Ramsays “bullies”. ”I am certainly not a bully, and it is so appalling to even suggest there was any bullying,” he sighs.
“That’s absolute nonsense. It was sad to see that barrage of negativity that was self-propelled by them.
“But Adam is an incredible young lad and he and Holly are a wonderful, happy, young couple.”
So, would Gordon fancy being a grandad?
He says: “Jesus Christ. They’re still on their f***ing honeymoon!
“But I do laugh sometimes when I’m in the park with [two-year-old son] Jesse.
“I was taking him to a football match last Saturday, and then this lady said, ‘Oh, it must be so nice to have the grandkids at the weekend!’
“And I’m like, ‘Are you f***ing serious woman? Grandkids?! That’s my son!’”
Being Gordon Ramsay is available on Netflix from Wednesday.
60th WILL BE ADELE OF A PARTY
THE very sweary superstar — I counted 27 f***s in the new documentary’s first episode – hopes superstar singer Adele will bring birthday cheer on his 60th in November.
Obviously, for a man not feted for his thriftiness, there will be a huge party, also celebrating his 30th anniversary with Tana.
“We are hoping Adele will sing,” he grins. “Tana loves Adele and I saw her in Vegas when she was playing the Colosseum, and she was a customer of ours in Chelsea.
“She is an incredibly gracious, talented woman, and a real foodie. She loves that kind of fine dining style.”
GORDON Ramsay has insisted that good friend David Beckham WILL end the ongoing feud with son Brooklyn.
The star has been in contact with the aspiring chef, offering messages of support and encouraging the 26-year-old to heal the heartbreaking rift.
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Gordon Ramsay has insisted David Beckham WILL end the feud with son BrooklynCredit: GettyThe TV chef said David will do everything to get the relationship ‘back on track’Credit: GettyBrooklyn blocked his parents Victoria and David and brothersCredit: Getty
“Brooklyn and I have messaged a little bit, our relationship is solid. I love him – his heart is incredible.
“But it’s hard, isn’t it, when you’re infatuated. Love is blind. It’s easy to get up on that roller coaster, and get carried away. But it will come back.
“I’ve seen first hand just how good parents they are. David as a dad is just incredible. They have both put so much energy into their kids, and I know just how many times they have got Brooklyn out of the s***.”
Gordon continued: “I think it’s going to be a matter of time before Brooklyn takes a good look at himself and understands just what his parents mean to him.
”He’s desperate to forge his own way, and I respect that from Brooklyn. It’s such a good thing to do. But remember where you came from.
”And honestly, one day you’re not going to have your mum and dad, and you need to understand that. That penny will drop.
”I just want Brooklyn to take a moment to himself. And remember: You’re half mum, half dad. And you’re an amazing young man. But, boy, they’ve done more for you than anyone did in your entire life.
”Time’s going to be the best healer, and David will absolutely get that relationship back on track.”
While Brooklyn has blocked many of his family members on Instagram, he and Gordon still follow one another.
The chef, who has almost 20mn followers, has helped the youngster, and publicly backed his cooking endeavours where others were quick to mock.
Friends for almost two and a half decades, meanwhile, Posh and Becks, and Gordon and Tana have been there, through thick and thin, for one another.
The celebrity chef urged Brooklyn to remember “one day you’re not going to have your Mum and Dad”, in the wake of a fall out with parents Sir David and Lady Victoria Beckham.
GORDON Ramsay has opened up about his childhood – revealing he was so poor he ate toothpaste and didn’t have food for days.
On Wednesday his new six-part Netflix documentary Being Gordon Ramsay airs, detailing his efforts to launch his latest ambitious project.
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Gordon Ramsay revealed he was so poor he ate toothpaste as a childCredit: ShutterstockThe TV chef’s new six-part Netflix documentary, Being Gordon Ramsay is now availableCredit: Getty
Britain’s highest eaterie, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay High is on the 60th floor of skyscraper 22 Bishopsgate in the City of London.
Having trained under Marco Pierre White, aged 35 he set up his first eponymous restaurant, winning three coveted Michelin stars shortly after.
He now has eateries all across the globe, and is arguably the planet’s most famous chef.
His work ethic is relentless – possibly a result of his humble upbringing.
In one episode, Gordon gets emotional recalling his own childhood struggles, growing up on a council estate in Glasgow.
Relying on food vouchers at school to eat, he speaks powerfully on the embarrassment of being desperately poor.
Today, he has teamed up with a fantastic charity, Feeding Britain, to tackle child poverty. The aim is to provide Britain’s 800,000 kids in poverty with affordable food.
Gordon has quietly and personally donated “very heavily” to the cause. Shockingly Gordon recalls: “I was hungry all the time, there was no food in the house.
“I was sometimes too embarrassed to use my vouchers to get mt free shepherds pie in case, you know, aged 15 or 16, a girl I fancied saw me.
”I was a skinny f***ing bean. I remember eating toothpaste thinking that was delicious because there were multiple nights where we never ate.
“It is appalling that we’re in this situation now. It’s disgusting, an embarrassment. The system’s dysfunctional.”
While Gordon’s father, who died from a heart attack aged 53, was an alcoholic, his younger brother Ronnie is, tragically, a heroin addict.
Having gone for long swathes of time not speaking, he reveals the pair had a reconciliation of sorts on the phone last week.
Becoming visibly emotional, Gordon recalls: “It was just sad because at the end of that call he said, ‘did I hear you ask for my bank details? I’ve got no electricity’.
“And so I said, ‘Come on, Ronnie, you know damn well if I knew that was going on electricity, I would. But I know full well that’s going to go on drugs.’ ”’And it pains me, it kills me, mate.’
“We’ve been down this road so many times.”
Gordon’s new Netflix series will see the star put all his energy into his new project, 22 Bishopsgate.
Home to Britain’s tallest restaurant, its Restaurant Gordon Ramsay High, an intimate 12-seater chef’s table experience, has already earned him another Michelin star.
I’ve seen the show, and it’s brilliant, giving viewers a fly-on-the-wall look into Gordon’s frenetic and fabulous – he and Tana are parents to six kids – home life, as well as the sheer hell of getting a new business off the ground.
”I won’t watch it,” he smiles. “I never ever watch myself on telly because it’s just incredibly nerve-wracking.
“I think when you’ve done it and lived it, the last thing you want to do is sit there with lots of popcorn. There’s a level of embarrassment.”
Even without Gordon’s viewership, it is sure to be another Netflix smash.
Gordon’s new Netflix series will see the star put all his energy into his new projectCredit: Getty
Gordon Ramsay revealed what REALLY happened at Brooklyn Beckham’s weddingCredit: GettyBrooklyn claimed his mum danced ‘inappropriately on’ himCredit: Refer to CaptionThey claimed he was left in tears while wife Nicola Peltz was devastatedCredit: Getty
”We were there at the wedding,” he says. “There was nothing salacious. There was nothing inappropriate. Everyone was having fun, having a dance.”
But, Gordon, DID SHE GRIND???
”No! Nothing of the sort. It was fun.”
He added: “I haven’t seen any of the memes, I heard about them of course, but Victoria’s got a great sense of humour. She’s great.
“She’s right to be upset (about the wedding) but she can bat that other s*** away in a heartbeat.
”Victoria and Tana have spoken a lot, they are probably closer than ever – they’re like two peas in a pod, those two. She has offered lots of support.”
During the interview, Gordon also insisted that good friend David WILL end the ongoing feud with son Brooklyn.
The star has been in contact with the aspiring chef, offering messages of support and encouraging the 26-year-old to heal the heartbreaking rift.
The Michelin starred restauranteur said: “Victoria is upset, and I know 24/7, seven days a week, just how much David loves Brooklyn.
“Brooklyn and I have messaged a little bit, our relationship is solid. I love him – his heart is incredible.
“But it’s hard, isn’t it, when you’re infatuated. Love is blind. It’s easy to get up on that roller coaster, and get carried away. But it will come back.
“I’ve seen first hand just how good parents they are. David as a dad is just incredible. They have both put so much energy into their kids, and I know just how many times they have got Brooklyn out of the s***.”
Gordon continued: “I think it’s going to be a matter of time before Brooklyn takes a good look at himself and understands just what his parents mean to him.
”He’s desperate to forge his own way, and I respect that from Brooklyn. It’s such a good thing to do. But remember where you came from.
”And honestly, one day you’re not going to have your mum and dad, and you need to understand that. That penny will drop.
”I just want Brooklyn to take a moment to himself. And remember: You’re half mum, half dad. And you’re an amazing young man. But, boy, they’ve done more for you than anyone did in your entire life.
”Time’s going to be the best healer, and David will absolutely get that relationship back on track.”
While Brooklyn has blocked many of his family members on Instagram, he and Gordon still follow one another.
The chef, who has almost 20mn followers, has helped the youngster, and publicly backed his cooking endeavours where others were quick to mock.
Friends for almost two and a half decades, meanwhile, Posh and Becks, and Gordon and Tana have been there, through thick and thin, for one another.
Gordon also insisted that good friend David WILL end the ongoing feud with son BrooklynCredit: Getty
Gordon Ramsay has denied slamming Adam Peaty’s family in his speech at daughter Holly’s weddingCredit: GettyAdam has been estranged from his mum Caroline since NovemberCredit: ShutterstockGordon and Tana have given their first interview about the scandalCredit: Instagram
Gordon reportedly took aim at Adam’s mum Caroline in his speech, making an unfavourable comparison to his wife Tana.
He is said to have quipped to Adam: “Look at Tana and that’s what you have to look forward to.”
“I was told we were accused of saying inappropriate things,” Gordon said. “Nothing at all was said that was inappropriate, I promise you.
“I was very warm, very witty. I talked about when they first met. I was nervous, hearing the words no father would ever want to hear, ‘Your daughter’s gone on a date with the world’s best breast- stroker.’ We knew something big was going on when she came home and all we could smell was chlorine.’”
Gordon went on to share a cheeky dad joke he penned himself.
“They were the bits I really worked on, ” he recalled. “I paid tribute to Holly, then welcomed Adam into the family: ‘I know you’ll give Holly all the love she deserves, but be aware that her twin, Jack, is a Royal Marine. I know you can swim fast, but he has a boat with a big f****** gun on it!’ Light-hearted stuff like that.”
He insisted he and his wife had “done nothing wrong”.
We sent a chauffer-driven car for them to tome to the engagement party and treated them like royalty.”
Gordon Ramsay
Gordon said: “It’s just upsetting. It’s all self-inflicted from their side, because we’ve done nothing – none of what you’ve read: no rudeness, no ignorance – we welcomed them.
“We sent a chauffeur-driven car for them to come to the engagement party and treated them like royalty.
“So to get that barrage of press was very hurtful. Tana took it very seriously.”
ENDING THE FEUD?
Talking of a potential reconciliation, he added: “I would like to go up to Nottingham with Tana and see them and draw a line in the sand.”
Gordon and Tana would like to travel to Nottingham to meet with CarolineCredit: ANLGordon said it was Adam and Holly’s decision for his parents not to attend the nuptialsCredit: instagram
“It was Adam and Holly’s wishes for them not to attend and so we had to respect that. There’s stuff they need to sort out as parents.
“That’s nothing to do with Tana and me.
“But we are very mindful we want to move on and allow Holly and Adam to continue starting their lives together.”
