West Brom are still in the hunt for someone to succeed caretaker manager James Shan, with Bruno Labbadia (as per the Express and Star) seemingly emerging as one of the front runners.
Other names, including Danny Cowley and Chris Hughton, have been linked with the job, though it is believed the former Bayer Leverkusen and Hamburger manager will take over:
Albion have held a second round of talks with Bruno Labbadia. Others still being considered #wba https://t.co/Fxlz5S93gA
— Matt Wilson (@mattianwilson) May 29, 2019
Marcelo Bielsa joining Leeds United has shown that Championship clubs can attract managers with pedigree at the highest level and this would act as another example.
Having taken over at Wolfsburg in February 2018, he kept them in the Bundesliga by winning the promotion/relegation play-off, before taking them into the Europa League places this season.
The German often deploys a 4-3-3 with players pressing the opposition and playing out from the back, which could mean an exciting brand of football for fans watching at the Hawthorns should he go there.
Baggies fans will take encouragement from his play-off win, having been denied in a place in the Premier League after losing out to Aston Villa, though the West Brom board can secure their man.
Among sorting out a new manager, which they hope to have done within two weeks, a priority for West Brom will be to sign someone who can replace Dwight Gayle’s goals, as it is unlikely he will be returning to the club.
A selection of Twitter reaction to the potential appointment, including posts from disbelieving West Brom fans, can be seen below:
— Ross Nickless (@NicklessRoss) May 29, 2019
Seems too good to be true if I’m honest
— Josh (@joshwoodhall3) May 29, 2019
— L (@WBALLLLL) May 29, 2019
https://twitter.com/thejonreeve/status/1133861862901190656
Big gamble, could be an inspired appointment.. as before, his salary will be a stumbling block, doubt the club on its current footing would be willing to sanction either the wages or the gamble?
— Derek Lowbridge (@DerekDerlow13) May 29, 2019
Leaked scenes from two weeks in the Albion boardroom pic.twitter.com/U01pcvGHp5
— Simon (@BrutallyAverage) May 29, 2019
Albion don’t give managers time to build anything. He could be a good choice if he was given time, but you know if league form wasn’t great he’d be shown the door
— ken dof (@kendof) May 30, 2019
