West Brom could appoint a new manager within the next two days, James Shan has confirmed.
Shan was named as West Brom’s caretaker manager last week after Darren Moore was sacked, and he won his first game in charge on Wednesday night when the Baggies beat Swansea 3-0 at The Hawthorns.
Sun reporter Mike McGrath has reported that the 40-year-old could get the job until the end of the season if he impresses against Swansea and Brentford, who Albion play at Griffin Park on Saturday.
However Shan has refused to look too far into the future, as he admits that there could be a new manager at The Hawthorns before the weekend.
“The instruction was one game at the time, the instruction was to prepare for the game against Swansea,” Shan said after the game on Wednesday night, as quoted by the Express & Star.
“We all know football moves very quickly, there could be an appointment in the next 24 or 48 hours, I’m not too sure.
“But until we know anything different, we have to prepare for the game against Brentford on Saturday.”
OPINION
Judging by reports about West Brom’s search for a manager, they are nowhere near to hiring Moore’s permanent successor, but Shan could have let something slip here by suggesting that something is quite close to happening. Slavisa Jokanovic appeared to be the frontrunner for the job after David Wagner backed out of the running, but McGrath reported on Wednesday that the Baggies’ interest in the ex-Fulham boss has cooled – presumably due to finances. Where does that leave West Brom? Well, they’re in a better position right now then they were on Saturday after they drew 1-1 with Ipswich. Shan led the club to their first home win in the league since Boxing Day with a very impressive counter-attacking display. However you have to think that better teams than Swansea might have punished West Brom. Shan, as good a coach he is, still shouldn’t get the job until the end of the season, but with each passing day it seems more likely to happen.