Ryan Mason’s potential successor has just been sacked after West Brom speculation
Paul Simonis could be the latest candidate for the West Brom job as Ryan Mason continues to face scrutiny at The Hawthorns.
Mason was immediately under heavy pressure to get West Brom back into the Premier League for the first time since the 2020-21 season.
However, the Baggies have been severely underwhelming in the Championship, sitting 14th in the table.
West Brom beat Oxford United 2-1 on Saturday, and despite the victory at The Hawthorns temporarily lifting the mood, fans still aren’t on board with Mason‘s style of play.
As the pressure ramps up on the 34-year-old manager, the previously-linked Simonis could now be one of the frontrunners after news from Germany.
Paul Simonis sacked by Wolfsburg
Simonis was previously linked with the West Brom job in the summer, but he ended up joining Wolfsburg.
The 40-year-old had left Dutch side Go Ahead Eagles after winning the Dutch Cup to end their 92-year wait for silverware last season.
However, on 9 November, it was shared that Wolfsburg have sacked Simonis with immediate effect.
| Ryan Mason | Stat | Paul Simonis |
| 29 | Games managed | 53 |
| 12 | Wins | 20 |
| 5 | Draws | 14 |
| 12 | Losses | 19 |
| 41.38 | Win percentage | 37.74 |
He has parted ways with Wolfsburg after losing six of his 10 league games in charge, sitting 14th in the Bundesliga.
He could now be straight in the mix for the job in B71, and it’s clear that Shilen Patel is a fan of his philosophy, if a new face is required.
Alex Neil has also been linked with the West Brom job, and his record in the Championship could help the Baggies get out of the rut they find themselves in.
It’s clear that Neil has much more pedigree at this level than Simonis, and should Mason be sacked, fans will be praying that Patel makes the right call this time around.
Simonis was successful in the Netherlands, although his lack of experience in England may not make him the right fit for the Baggies.
Paul Simonis appointment would be a huge mistake
Simonis has only taken charge of 53 games in his managerial career, and his path to Wolfsburg is fairly similar to Mason’s emergence.
The Dutchman lacks a lot of experience, and the Championship is a very tough place to hone your craft and refine your skills as a manager.
It’s no shock that managers such as Mark Robins, John Eustace, and Neil are all successful.
Their experience in handling the intense schedule of the second tier is invaluable, and West Brom have quickly learnt with Mason that it is a vital quality any manager must have.
As a result, it would be incredibly irresponsible to sack Mason and then hire someone as inexperienced as Simonis.
Enjoyed this article? Stay connected with all the latest West Bromwich Albion news, updates, and behind-the-scenes content by following us on our new Instagram account – @westbromnews247