West Brom ready to pay compensation to complete new manager hire in January
West Brom owners Bilkul are in the hunt to hire an “analytical-style coach who is tactically astute” to replace Carlos Corberan, according to the Express & Star.
The newspaper reported via their website on Friday (27 December) that Albion are unlikely to have a new manager in place for the Championship trip to Swansea on 4 January as they’re willing to take their time to find Corberan’s successor after he left for Valencia on Christmas Eve.
It is understood that the Baggies are prepared to pay compensation for the right man to lead them in their bid to qualify for the Championship play-offs after receiving £2.5million from Valencia for Corberan.
The Express & Star adds that West Brom’s sporting director Andrew Nestor is leading the search for a new boss with initial progress being made during the Christmas period.
Who will be the new West Brom manager?
Due to PSR playing a major role in West Brom’s spending in recent seasons, it was always expected that the Baggies would, first and foremost, target managers who are out of work.
However, the availability of funds to buy someone out of their contract opens up a new realm of possibilities.
West Brom News understands that Liverpool coach John Heitinga is on Bilkul’s shortlist to replace Corberan.
In July, Arne Slot hired the 41-year-old Dutchman as his assistant coach and he’s clearly helped make a major impact with the Reds flying at the top of the Premier League.
He’s also worked with David Moyes at West Ham in his coaching career and had a short stint in charge at Ajax.
Heitinga is a bit of an unknown quantity as a manager but he’s no doubt a name that would excite the fanbase given his links to top Premier League and European clubs.
It would require a compensation fee to hire him from Liverpool so it all seems to add up so far to make the former Everton, Fulham Ajax and Atletico Madrid defender a solid candidate.
In other West Brom news, Steven Gerrard is also a shock contender as news emerges.
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