West Brom transfer blow amid search for new manager
Don Goodman believes the drawn-out appointment of a new manager has somewhat hampered January transfer plans for West Brom.
The Baggies were dealt a huge blow on Monday (13 January) when it was revealed that talks over the appointment of Raphael Wicky had collapsed as a result of his backroom staff failing to obtain a visa.
In a shock twist, Sean Dyche emerged as the favourite for the job amid links with several other managers, but Goodman – speaking exclusively to West Brom News – claimed the uncertainty could put off potential targets.
“Would it have been different if a manager had been in place?” questioned Goodman. “Let’s say if Carlos Corberan hadn’t gone off to Valencia, would there have been bodies through the door by now? Possibly.
“If these targets have the opportunity to go to West Bromwich Albion or a club on the same kind of standing, the fact that West Brom wouldn’t have a manager in place probably would be a factor, yes, I would think, and it may.
“But we’re not really seeing too many links in the media. So they’re either going about their business incredibly quietly or they’re waiting until they get a head coach before adding to the squad.”
West Brom are wasting January transfer window
We’ve now entered the third week of the search for Corberan’s successor and as it stands, nothing yet appears imminent. With just 20 days left of the transfer window, hopes of strengthening the squad are slowly fading.
For as long as the Baggies don’t have a manager in place, the prospect of joining as a player looks far less appealing, with uncertainty to be had over guaranteed game time or even playing style.
Of course, the appointment still needs to be the right one and that has to be prioritised over the urgency of getting someone in but there needs to be a balance.
Simply put, a resolution is needed soon at The Hawthorns if Albion are to maintain their push for a return to the Premier League.
In other West Brom news, the odds have been slashed on the appointment of an ex-Manchester United manager.
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