(Credit: Imago)

West Brom next manager: New favourite emerges after Cifuentes bombshell

Correspondent AUTHORITY Football journalist with experience at the Edinburgh Evening News and GRV Media; Masters graduate from the University of Derby. FOCUS Scottish Premiership coverage with specialist knowledge of Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, Aberdeen, and Motherwell. THE INSIGHT Jack utilises a network of club and industry contacts across the Scottish Premiership to deliver verified, high-speed reporting. He provides the tactical and transfer insight behind the headlines to ensure fans get the full story as it happens.

Published on:

30 Apr 2025, 10:42 am

West Brom’s managerial hunt has taken yet another twist since the sacking of Tony Mowbray.

With the end of the Championship season just days away, it has no doubt been a disappointing season for the Hawthorns faithful.

The club looked certain to reach the playoffs until a poor run of form saw the club drop out of the top six.

This resulted in the Baggies sacking Mowbray as they began the search for a third permanent manager in under a year.

While plenty of names have been linked to the post, Ryan Mason has now become the surprise favourite.

Marti Cifuentes was the previous frontrunner (Credit: Imago)

Ryan Mason now favourite to become West Brom manager

On Tuesday, it looked certain that QPR boss Marti Cifuentes was set to take over at the Hawthorns.

The Spaniard had been linked to West Brom for some time after his stunning work at the London side.

Cifuentes was even put on gardening leave by QPR amid the rumours surrounding the Baggies vacancy.

However, after Cifuentes’ links with the West Brom job were rebuffed, Ryan Mason has become the bookies’ favourite to take over.

Ryan Mason's managerial record	Year	Games managed	Games won	Win percentage
Tottenham (interim)	2021	7	4	57.14 per cent
Tottenham (acting)	2023	6	2	33.33 per cent

Mason has had little experience as manager

According to Oddschecker (30 April), Mason is just 5/4 to take over at the club. Cifuentes is second favourite for the role.

While Mason has been linked to the West Brom role, he is yet to have a permanent job in management.

The former England international’s only experience is as the Tottenham interim manager on two separate occasions.

West Brom chiefs Andrew Nestor, Shilen Patel and Mark Miles have a big decison to make this summer (Credit: Imago)

Mason is too inexperienced to be West Brom manager

West Brom need to get promoted as quick as possible. With how big the gap between the Premier League and Championship is getting, the club cannot afford to bring in an inexperienced manager like Mason.

While there is no doubt he has potential in the industry, the Baggies cannot afford to wait around.

A manager who knows the Championship and is excellent at rebuilding sides would be ideal.

However, whoever the club brings in, it must be done quickly as the last thing that is needed is for this saga to drag on throughout the summer.

Marti Cifuentes

Ryan Mason