West Bromwich Albion boss Alan Irvine says his tough spell at Sheffield Wednesday has him prepared for the Hawthorns.
Irvine was sacked by Owls chairman Milan Mandaric in February 2011 after just 13 months in charge with the Yorkshire club 12th in League One.
"After I left Sheffield Wednesday I needed a break," he said.
"I was utterly drained by the end. We had no scouts. It was a very, very demanding job but I had opportunities to come back in. I could have gone to Everton to do their academy, but I had a break and ultimately did take the Everton job after a few months off.
"I got the Wednesday job within a week of leaving Preston in 2010. Things were going well. I took over a team that was struggling. We had to win 11 of our last 22 games, which is pretty much winning-the-league type of form but we failed on the last day.
"We were top of the League when Milan came in but he chose to make a change. At that point I did take a break. I had a number of opportunities to come back in but I took a break. Sheffield Wednesday was very tough."
