Next West Brom manager: Ex-West Ham boss and Liverpool assistant become new favourites
The potential contenders to become the new West Brom manager have emerged.
Following Carlos Corberán’s move to Valencia, West Brom are searching for their next permanent manager. The 41-year-old was identified as the Spanish side’s first choice replacement for Rubén Baraja, who was sacked two days before Christmas following a dismal run of results. Albion released a statement to confirm Corberán’s departure.
“The 41-year-old is set to return to his homeland with the club’s gratitude and best wishes following a two-year tenure at The Hawthorns. Chris Brunt, Damia Abella and Boaz Myhill will oversee first-team duties until further notice. Sporting Director Andrew Nestor is leading Albion’s search for a new head coach.”
Corberán was appointed at Valencia on Christmas Eve and since his departure, several candidates have been linked with the vacant position. Mark Robins was previously named the favourite for the role but he has since joined Stoke City on a three-and-a-half-year contract.
Liverpool’s assistant coach John Heitinga is now down as the leading candidate, despite only arriving at the Premier League club in July. Swansea City manager Luke Williams has been placed second in line according to the latest odds. Other names thrown into the mix include Steve Cooper, who was sacked by Leicester City in November.
Ex-interim England manager and current head coach of the U21 side Lee Carsley was approached to take over at The Hawthorns. However, he turned down the chance to succeed Corberán at the hilt of the club.
West Brom secured their first win of the year with a New Year’s Day triumph over Preston North End. Albion put the Championship game out of reach of their travelling opponents with three goals in the first half, courtesy of a maiden Callum Styles goal and a Josh Maja brace.
The outing marked a first win for the joint interim management team of Damia Abella and Chris Brunt. The latter, who racked up 421 appearances as a West Brom player, has been the first to rule himself out of taking the job full-time.
“No I wouldn’t have thought so, I’m way too inexperienced for that,” Brunt said after the match when asked if he fancied making the big step up. “It’s been nice to come here today as I played so many games here as a player, I had a lot of good times. It’s nice to be on the touchline but I don’t think it’s time for me to do anything like that.”
While the Baggies celebrate their ideal start to the year, let’s take a look at who has been placed in line to succeed Corberán at the hilt of the club. Here’s a full rundown of the list including the latest odds for West Brom’s next permanent manager.
Next West Brom manager odds
John Heitinga - 5/2
Luke Williams - 3/1
Russell Martin, John Eustace - 10/1
Steven Schumacher - 12/1
Tony Mowbray - 14/1
David Moyes, Steve Cooper - 16/1
Mark Robins - 20/1
Nathan Jones, Matt Bloomfield, Mat Sadler, Gary O’Neil, Andrew Crofts, Lee Carsley, Michael Appleton - 25/1