There has been a fresh twist in West Brom’s manager replacement plans with the possibility of the club appointing a short term option as they continue to hunt Slavisa Jokanovic and David Wagner, according to the Express and Star.
The newspaper claim on their website that the Baggies are considering filling the vacancy left by Darren Moore’s sacking with a figure until the end of the season, with former Fulham boss Jokanovic named as their top long term target.
Albion contemplate short-term appointment until end of season after David Wagner tells them he won’t return to football until summer. Slavisa Jokanovic remains a target but #wba exploring other options https://t.co/sc9aae7JT6
— Matt Wilson (@mattianwilson) March 11, 2019
It is stated that the Serbian turned down Championship rivals Nottingham Forest back in January and that negotiations are ongoing over a move to the Hawthorns, but that Wagner’s response to their approach, telling them he will not return to football until the summer, has got them thinking about a temporary appointment.
The report also claims Wagner’s hiring would require compensation for Huddersfield this season and that he is a front runner in the managerial hunt.
Opinion
It has all become a little bit messy at West Brom and the sooner the board get their number one target sorted out, the better. Sacking Moore in the first place seemed a strange decision with the club sitting fourth in the Championship table and the fans will be anxious over who his replacement might be. Wagner and Jokanovic both look like decent options to take charge when you consider their records in the Championship, the German impressing more in the Premier League with Huddersfield than the Serbian with Fulham. If it means waiting until summer to get one of the pair on board then maybe a temporary coach until the summer would not be the worst idea in the world, although there is definitely a risk of disrupting the balance and cohesion of the squad with so many behind-the-scenes changes. Ideally they would have their top target in place over the coming fortnight but there is no guarantee that is going to happen now. Nervy times at the Hawthorns.