Preston North End boss Alex Neil is a “strong contender” to take the currently vacant West Brom position with Baggies CEO Mark Jenkins set to ramp up the hunt for a new manager imminently, according to Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett.
The broadcast journalist claims on his personal Twitter account that the club chief at the Hawthorns is set to fly back into the UK on Tuesday (12/03) evening and that his return from meeting with the club’s Chinese owners will accelerate their progress over replacing Darren Moore.
#pnefc manager, Alex Neil, is a strong contender to fill the vacancy at #wbafc, I’ve been told.
No formal approach so far – initial talks have been held with the reps of Slavisa Jokanovic, as Albion consider options. CEO due back from China tonight, when process will accelerate.— Rob Dorsett (@RobDorsettSky) March 12, 2019
It is stated that Scottish boss Neil, 37, is among the lead candidates for the position, having managed Norwich City to promotion during his two year spell, currently sitting 10th in the table with Preston.
Opinion
Neil is not a name which is going to get the Hawthorns faithful off their seats, especially with the other reported candidates circling around the media. Yes, he might have done a decent job with Norwich but the fact of the matter is he was eventually sacked by the Canaries and now finds himself managing at mid-table level in England’s second tier. Do you not think that if he were a manager capable of taking a club to promotion, or at least a top six finish, he would be at a club who could offer that to him? The fans, and the players too, would probably all rather have seen Moore remain in charge than the Scottish boss stepping into the void. Unfortunately that is not an option right now and the brashness of the senior figures at the club has left them scrambling around trying to find a suitable option. Not their finest moment by any means and the appointment of Neil would lose them a lot of faith from the supporters.