The chairman of West Brom’s supporters’ club has said it is “essential” that the club appoint a manager with experience this summer.
The Baggies are looking for a replacement for James Shan, who left his interim post at the Hawthorns at the end of the season having failed to earn promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs.
Speaking to the Express & Star, John Homer said that due to last season’s reliance on loan stars such as Dwight Gayle and Harvey Barnes, the new manager must be able to rebuild the team with quality permanent signings.
“That’s an essential,” said Homer. “We’ve had managers in the past who have turned over a squad, but at least we had the nucleus. Before, when we came down, we’ve always had the nucleus of a decent side to get back up.
“This time around, it’s not just necessary to be able to manage a squad, but to build a squad too. The more experience they have, the more contacts they’ve got, the more likely they can build up a squad.”
The Express & Star have also reported that Bruno Labbadia is the front runner to take the West Brom job, having held two rounds of talks with the club.
OPINION
Homer is right. If there is one decision West Brom must get right, it is this one. The Baggies must bring in someone with sizeable experience who can rebuild this team, because without that, this team will not be where they finished last season in 12 months’ time. Players like Gayle and Barnes were so crucial to West Brom’s season, but there is no stability in loan signings, which offer you one chance to get it right. They fell just short of taking that chance and now the Baggies have some catching up to do. For now, they must forget about bringing in top talent who can guide them to promotion at the second time of asking. To do that, you first need a manager who can convince players to join. That is the crucial starting point, and the Baggies must not get ahead of themselves if they are to have another serious crack at promotion.