Don Goodman reacts as West Brom new manager shortlist reveal emerges

John Heitinga has emerged as the favourite for the West Brom job but Don Goodman believes it would be a gamble if the Baggies choose to appoint him.

West Brom will be hoping to put a swift end to the managerial uncertainty at The Hawthorns following Carlos Corberan's departure to Valencia over Christmas.

Work will undoubtedly be ongoing behind the scenes in an attempt to find a suitable successor with Heitinga emerging as the favourite but Goodman told West Brom News that his appointment would be a gamble.

"Whoever you bring in, even if it's somebody with a seasoned Championship pedigree, every appointment is a gamble," explained Goodman. "Some gambles are bigger than others and Heitinga would be a gamble.

"However, every successful manager when they were appointed was a gamble at some point along the way and it's no different with Heitinga."

Managerial uncertainty could disrupt West Brom January business

If the uncertainty over who will replace Corberan drags on into January, it has every potential to affect the club's ability to sanction player signings.

Quite frankly, players will not want to join a club where they don't know who they will be playing under or what they will be asked to do and that could have a pretty drastic knock-on on effect to their hopes of promotion.

Of course, it may not only be incomings that are affected, but outgoings too. If a player is offered a chance at Premier League football as opposed to Championship football under an unknown manager, it could cause a concern.

It is vital that the Baggies find a resolution to the managerial post in the coming days or at most, in the coming fortnight or the consequences could be major.

West Brom still have a shot at achieving promotion this season but much of that will hinge on how proactive they are in hiring the next manager.

In other West Brom news, one player is set to depart The Hawthorns.

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