West Brom have put talks with Bruno Labbadia on hold as they explore other options for the vacant manager’s role according to the Express & Star.
The English outlet claims that Labbadia will be forced to wait as the club explores other options such as the recently promoted Chris Wilder of Sheffield United.
The Baggies have been looking for a new head coach since the dismissal on Darren Moore in March – with Jimmy Shan overseeing the club into their play-off defeat against rivals Aston Villa.
That crucial play-off defeat meant that West Brom will be playing in the Championship once again and the former Wolfsburg manager Labbadia reportedly emerged has an early front runner for the role.
The German boss, 53, is still in the running for the job after holding talks with West Brom’s technical director Luke Dowling in the previous week.
OPINION
The news regarding the vacant head coaches’ role at West Brom seems to be never-ending and always changing. It must start to become frustrating for the Baggies’ fans who will want the situation sorting as quickly as possible after the controversial sacking of Darren Moore despite the club sitting in fourth in the Championship. Unfortunately for them, this is a step that needed to be taken as ultimately, West Brom cannot afford to get this appointment wrong after last season’s disappointment at the Hawthorns. Bruno Labbadia does hold decent experience in the German top-flight but this would be a totally different proposition for him should he be given the job. Managers such as Marcelo Bielsa have proved that you can achieve success without previous experience of English football but it certainly helps. Chris Wilder would be the dream appointment for West Brom but you would expect that a near-impossible move to make happen after he earned promotion with Sheffield United. This decision is critical for the Baggies and they must take their time and make sure the right man is hired. Should it be Labbadia, they must back him reasonably in the transfer market and give him time at the helm. There is no point in appointing the German if they are going to potentially get rid at the first sign of trouble – there is no road to promotion without a few bumps along the way.