West Brom could request permission to enter talks with Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill “in the next week”, according to Sun reporter Mark McIntosh.
The reliable Northern Ireland-based journalist claimed via his personal Twitter account on Monday that Albion might make an approach for the 49-year-old in the coming days, but they do have other managers on their shortlist.
It is understood that ex-Brighton boss Chris Hughton remains a target for the Baggies while Preston manager Alex Neil is also on their radar.
Hearing @NorthernIreland boss Michael O'Neill is on a shortlist for @WBA job.Possibly request permission for talks in the next week, in between squad get-togethers. Alex Neil and Chris Houghton still on their radar
— Mark McIntosh (@markjmcintosh) May 20, 2019
OPINION
West Brom should not even entertain the thought of hiring O’Neill as their next manager. He has done very well with Northern Ireland but managing international football and managing club football are completely different from one another. O’Neill has very limited experience in club football, and the experience that he does have is hardly anything that will stand out on a CV compared to Hughton’s or Neil’s. O’Neill has only managed Brechin City and Shamrock Rovers in club football. There is no way that is good enough for a team that wants promotion to the Premier League like West Brom. The Baggies are set for a massive summer transfer window and they need someone who is proven in the transfer market who can build a squad, because that is what is likely to happen at The Hawthorns in the coming weeks and months. O’Neill is a massive no-go and Mark Jenkins should not bother with talks.