Valerien Ismael’s West Brom future in doubt as Baggies weigh up manager change

Valerien Ismael’s role as manager of West Bromwich Albion is believed to be under serious threat with fan frustration continuing to grow around the Hawthorns.

That’s according to the Telegraph who state that a decision will be made before next week’s trip to Sheffield United.

The news that Ismael’s job is being discussed to this degree will be music to the ears of plenty among the Baggies faithful who have started to become incredibly disgruntled with the team’s performances of late.

Four wins from 15 in all competitions and just one win in seven in the Championship has turned a minority into a majority in terms of those who are in favour of getting rid of the former Barnsley boss.

But it’s not just about results, it’s the style of play.

Some of the games in recent months can only be described as sharing the entertainment value of watching paint dry and that’s almost insulting to the paint.

Long ball with no plan B and often if the opposition grab the first goal it’s so long and goodnight because Albion never look like mounting a comeback.

Relationships with certain players are believed to be fragile at best, too.

Sam Johnstone was dropped for the last two games after an ‘internal issue’ with the boss and the recently released Robert Snodgrass was pretty much banished from the squad under his management.

The Baggies squad are back in training on Wednesday morning following a mini-break and Ismael is believed to be leading the session.

However that was always plan and won’t affect the background on-goings from the West Brom hierarchy.

A decision is expected to be made before February 9 but one would imagine that it’s something they want resolving as soon as possible.

Ismael is just seven months into the four-year-contract that he signed last June at the Hawthorns.

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