Major 11th hour twist in West Bromwich Albion manager search ahead of Stoke City clash
West Bromwich Albion's expected appointment of Raphael Wicky as new head coach has collapsed.
Albion had been in advanced talks to bring in Wicky as a replacement for Valencia-bound Carlos Corberan but it is claimed that discussions have ended after he was unable to bring in his preferred backroom team.
He had been 1/3 runaway bookies' favourite to get the gig but has immediately been bombed out to 16/1.. Next on the short list had been former Stoke City boss Steven Schumacher (5/1) while Rene Hake is at 6s. They have now moved to 7/2 and 3/1 respectively.
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Whispers that the Baggies might try to tempt Sean Dyche, freshly sacked by Everton, to an immediate return to the frontline - have seen him installed as the new 6/4 favourite.
West Brom are currently preparing to host Stoke at the Hawthorns on Saturday (3pm), with Mark Robins - who had initially been around the shorter odds for Albion - heading into his first away league game in charge of the Potters fresh from an FA Cup third round win at Sunderland.
The Express and Star report: "It is understood Wicky outlined a team of three, including himself, to bring to The Hawthorns as the package the Baggies agreed to. But it transpired this morning that his fellow coaches would be unable to make the move. There were no financial concerns relating to the staff members not joining Wicky."
West Brom are currently sixth in the Championship, 12 points behind the top three and one ahead of Blackburn Rovers and the pack chasing a play-off place.
