The latest on West Brom’s next manager search as an appointment looks imminent.

West Bromwich Albion are closing in on the appointment of Minnesota United manager Eric Ramsay as their new head coach, replacing Ryan Mason after his sacking earlier in the week.

The Baggies moved quickly to contact Ramsay, who was a previous contender for the role. The 33-year-old was spoken to in May ahead of Mason’s eventual appointment and West Brom have been keeping tabs on his progress ever since, just in case another change of manager was required.

As Mason lost 13 of his 26 matches, leaving Albion in 18th place, that moment has come sooner than expected. The target at the start of the season was to achieve a top-six finish and the Baggies are miles away. That gave the hierarchy very little choice but to move in another direction.

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That direction is seemingly to hire Ramsay, as the former Manchester United and Chelsea coach is expected to fly to England after an agreement was reached. Our sister publication, the Express & Star, exclusively revealed as much on Thursday night, reporting Ramsay is to be confirmed as Mason’s successor.

It didn’t take long for West Brom and Ramsay to agree terms, with the ex-Shrewsbury Town man saying yes when presented with Albion’s project. West Brom will pay Minnesota compensation to end Ramsay’s contract early in the US.

Who is Eric Ramsay?

Ramsay, still relatively inexperienced at the top level but offering fresh ideas, became immensely popular at Minnesota. The Welshman the Major League Soccer club, winning 38 of his 81 matches in charge, drawing 16 and losing the remaining 27.

Last season, Ramsay made headlines for guiding Minnesota to a huge 4-1 victory over Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, began his coaching career with Swansea City under-18s before moving on to an academy role at Shrewsbury.

He then moved to Chelsea, where he was the assistant manager for the under-23 side for two years. Ramsay then left the Blues for a senior coaching role at Manchester United and a part-time gig as the Wales assistant manager. All before he took on - and succeeded in - the Minnesota job.