UK Edition
West Brom to continue talks with Slavisa Jokanovic as former Fulham manager heads four-man shortlist
West Bromwich Albion will have further talks with Slavisa Jokanovic on Monday as they pursue a new head coach, following the dismissal of Darren Moore.
Albion have made an approach for Jokanovic, the former Fulham manager, and he is understood to be the leading contender on a shortlist of four at the Hawthorns.
Jokanovic guided Fulham to the Premier League last season via the Championship play-off final before leaving the Cottagers in November.
The 50-year-old Serbian also earned promotion to the Premier League with Watford in 2015 and is a free agent, so no compensation would be required.
West Brom’s board are also considering David Wagner, the former Huddersfield manager, and Preston North End’s Alex Neil as they have also earned promotion from the Championship.
Carlos Carvalhal, the former Swansea and Sheffield Wednesday manager, has also informed Albion he is interested in the post and is an option.
While Albion are determined to explore all possibilities, negotiations will continue with Jokanovic over the next 24 hours with a view to making him Moore’s replacement.
Moore was sacked on Saturday evening after the 1-1 draw with the Championship’s bottom club Ipswich Town, despite the club sitting in fourth place.
The club’s former defender secured only four wins from the last 12 games and there were concerns within the boardroom that Albion may slip out of the play-off places.
There was also friction behind the scenes with Moore’s assistant Graeme Jones, who clashed with sporting and technical director Luke Dowling over January signings. Jones is also understood to have agreed to take over at Luton Town in June, a move which bewildered the Albion board.
Albion are seeking a new head coach who can revive their promotion mission, with 10 games left. If the club fails to achieve promotion this season, a significant rebuilding job is expected over the summer so the next appointment is crucial for the club.
The Baggies return to action on Wednesday night with a home game against Swansea.