Credit: Imago

Dan Godfrey

Fri 2 May 2025 18:00, UK

West Brom will not want to be dragged into a managerial pursuit which takes any longer than it did to reappoint Tony Mowbray.

Mowbray’s succession to Carlos Corberan took over a month, and while less immediate pressure is now on Shilen Patel and the board to replace the sacked two-time Baggies boss with the season ending this weekend, West Brom fans are in little mood to offer any patience.

Albion were heavily linked with Queens Park Rangers manager Marti Cifuentes, though recent developments now suggest the Spaniard will not take over at The Hawthorns.

John Mousinho linked with West Brom after what broadcaster said

Following the latest emergence in this week’s Cifuentes saga, another active manager from the Championship’s name has cropped up.

West Brom have now been linked to Portsmouth head coach Mousinho, after Pompey-based TV commentator Ian Darke revealed the 39-year-old could be on the radar of several of the Blues’ league rivals.

Mousinho is the second-longest-serving manager in the Championship, and in his first head coach role has not only fired Portsmouth out of League One, but kept them in the second tier on a shoestring budget.

The former centre-half ended his playing career midway through the 2022-23 season to take the top job at Fratton Park, and Darke revealed Mousinho could be a target for both West Brom and Norwich City.

The iconic commentator told Pompey News (2 May): “Mousinho is young, articulate and bright, and he’s got a team promoted and then kept them up on a low budget.

“The likes of Norwich City and West Bromwich Albion may want to have a look at him – he will certainly have Championship interest.

“There’s certainly danger of Mousinho leaving, because football is a village and what he’s done in his first job as a manager is very good.”

Baggies finish forgettable season against survival battlers Luton

West Brom have had a season of highs, lows, controversy and frustration, which simmers to a concluding hurrah in Saturday’s finale against Luton Town (3 May).

The showdown at The Hawthorns means little to Albion, the reins currently taken by James Morrison – the fourth man to take to the home dugout this season.

The permutations of the game could not be more contrasting for Luton, who have won each of their last three games to give themselves a chance of staving off a second successive relegation.

West Brom’s play-off chances were realistically extinguished a week or two ago, but the goalless draw with Cardiff City last weekend (26 April) mathematically confirmed their fate – as well as that of the League One-bound Bluebirds, who have reminded everyone it could be worse.

But next season has to be far above the disappointing standards shown in recent months, which have seen the Baggies’ promotion bid ebb apathetically away.