Declan Carr

Fri 2 May 2025 12:00, UK

West Brom are still searching for a new manager and Steve Cooper has emerged as a contender.

The Baggies sacked Tony Mowbray on 21 April after a poor run of results saw them drop out of playoff contention and forced to settle for another season in the Championship.

Shilen Patel must get the next appointment right if Albion are to return to the Premier League anytime soon.

Cooper emerges as West Brom contender after shock news

One man who looks set not to be the new manager of the West Midlands club is Marti Cifuentes after his chances were dismissed.

It was reported on 1 May that the Spaniard could end up staying at QPR despite being placed on gardening leave.

That leaves the door open for other contenders such as Gary O’Neil and Ryan Mason but Cooper could be a surprise appointment for Patel.

The former Leicester boss odds have been reduced to 6/1 by Bet Victor after the recent developments involving Cifuentes.

The ex-QPR boss remains the second favourite at 2/1, with Mason the 5/4 favourite to take the role.

West Brom would make sense for Cooper

Cooper has been out of work since being sacked by the Foxes in November with the club sitting 16th in the Premier League.

That dismissal was seen as harsh as he did not get the chance to properly implement his tactics in a five-month spell at the King Power Stadium.

The 45-year-old has experience in Championship promotion battles as he took Nottingham Forest into the top-flight in 2022 after joining them when they were near the relegation zone in the second tier.

The Baggies have a squad that needs a few improvements to challenge for a promotion place and with Cooper’s experience in the division, they could be right up in the mix next season if he is appointed and they make the right moves in the transfer market.

Patel and Co could make a shrewd move if they can tempt the former Forest boss to join the Black Country club, it could help gain promotion quicker than the expected timeline.