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West Bromwich Albion: Alex Crook provides new manager update

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TalkSport insider Alex Crook has provided an update on West Bromwich Albion’s search for a new manager.

The club have been left without a man in the dugout following the departure of Sam Allardyce at the end of the previous campaign, following their relegation to the Championship after just one season back in the top flight.

The early indications seemed to suggest that it was going to be former Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder that was going to take over at the Hawthorns, but that seems to be in some doubt, with a report from Football Insider claiming that they have pulled the plug on the deal.

Speaking on TalkSport, Crook seemed to confirm that talk between Wilder and West Brom had cooled down, before floating two further names that are reportedly in the mix to take over:

“West Bromwich Albion of course still looking for a new manager.

“Three names in the frame there. Chris Wilder, my understanding, still not totally out of the running but maybe not the favourite anymore. Michael Appleton and David Wagner [were] two names given to me by someone in the know there on Friday.”

TIF Thoughts on Alex Crook’s comments about West Bromwich Albion…

If these are indeed the names that are being linked, then the way they go will probably give a big indication of what the club’s intentions are for the future.

If the club decide to go with Appleton, who has done a great job with Lincoln City recently and has had some experience in the Championship, but is still very much an up-and-coming manager in the grand scheme of things, then that may point to a long-term appointment, where they may settle for being in the Championship for a few years before making a push for a prolonged spell in the top flight.

Compare that to Wagner and Wilder, both of whom are more experienced at the top of the division and have a history of promotion to the Premier League – that may indicate that they want to get back there as soon as possible by appointing people who have been there and done it.

So it will be interesting to see which way the club go with their appointment, and if it indeed ends up being one of these three.

In other news: “Somebody like West Brom” – Exclusive: Pundit tips 6 ft 4 free-agent for Hawthorns move

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Freelance sports journalist & broadcaster.