---
title: "West Brom: Baggies will not replace departed Luke Dowling"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-brom-baggies-will-not-replace-departed-luke-dowling/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Sean Clifford"
section: "Championship News"
published: "2021-06-16T13:32:04Z"
modified: "2021-06-16T13:32:17Z"
---

# West Brom: Baggies will not replace departed Luke Dowling

**West Bromwich Albion are set to dump their Sporting Director model, following the departure of Luke Dowling yesterday \[[Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-west-brom-make-shock-decisions-on-manager-and-director-of-football-hires/)\].**

### The Lowdown: Baggies endure rocky start to 2021/22

The Baggies have endured a bumpy start to 2021/22, as they search for a new manager to mount a Sky Bet Championship title challenge.

This time last week, David Wagner was almost certain to inherit the Hawthorns hotseat after advanced talks with the club \[[Express and Star](https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/west-bromwich-albion/2021/06/08/david-wagner-in-advanced-talks-for-west-brom-job/)\].

However, talks eventually collapsed as the German-American elected to take the BSC Young Boys managerial role instead \[[BBC](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57426297)\].

Despite links with Frank Lampard, Michael Appleton and Chris Wilder, there has been no progress on the head-coach front \[[GIVEMESPORT](https://www.givemesport.com/1695979-lampard-wilder-appleton-where-do-west-brom-go-from-here-the-verdict)\].

In light of this, West Brom look to have shuffled their deck as pre-season draws ever closer.

\[freshpress-poll id=”361940″\]

### The Latest: Sporting Director model scrapped; Dowling will not be replaced

Following weeks of drawn-out talks with multiple candidates, Dowling has left the building and will not be replaced as Sporting Director \[[Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-west-brom-make-shock-decisions-on-manager-and-director-of-football-hires/)\].

Intriguingly, a club source has revealed that West Brom are looking to pass most player recruitment responsibility on to their prospective new boss.

Inheriting a squad requiring major surgery, they are seeking a “traditional” manager with strong connections within football \[[Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-west-brom-make-shock-decisions-on-manager-and-director-of-football-hires/)\].

\[freshpress-quiz id=”343772″\]

### The Verdict: Short-termism?

This approach may go against the grain of modern footballing practices. With more clubs moving into a structure that includes a director of football, some onlookers may treat the news with scepticism and see it as a short-term fix.

On the other hand, West Brom are facing a race against the clock as they look to assemble a promotion worthy outfit. Short-term gain is imperative not only on the pitch but from a financial standpoint.

For 12 months, it may just be worth the risk if they can recruit the correct manager to make a real go of life in the English second-tier, and perhaps revert back to a recruitment chief model once short-term goals are achieved.

**In other news, a pundit is unconvinced by a reported West Bromwich Albion [managerial target](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/championship/west-brom/west-brom-pundit-unconvinced-by-potential-derek-mcinnes-appointment/).**