[johnny Cash]

Whilst we will never know, I do think timing is a valid point and the timing has arguably given them the ability to take a little longer.

It was always unlikely someone would be in  with enough time to make any real impact before Swansea, and if you write off the FA cup which I think they will have, that gives you a bit of space.

I expect someone before the end of this week. Any longer and I think you can start to question the time its taking

[graka]

I’ve got to admit I’d never heard of Hake or Wicky and I’ve mostly left underwhelmed at the rumours linking Eustace and co
For me the outstanding candidate within our reach is cooper and I’m hoping the delay is that he’s been sorting out his gardening leave situation which has delayed the announcement
I wouldn’t be against Schumacher either

[Dan]

Just to add to my point, in the last 10 seasons, there's been 8 other championship managers leave due to being poached during the season, hence directly comparable to our situation. The average time of replacement is 10 days. The more successful replacements (Mowbray to Sunderland, Edwards to Luton, Frank to Brentford) were all within 7 days. The longest time of replacement was 17 days.

We're coming up to 16 days, so its within the realm but its certainly not normal to go much beyond that, and the successful replacements were by and large the quicker ones. The due diligence stuff makes no sense. The most likely reason it's taking time is due to lack of options rather than us being uniquely diligent.

[Albion79]

I dont really know anything about any of the foreign names being linked let alone if they are close to be being appointed or its just media talk.

I do know the club was ideally looking for a coach who had successful experience of english football this time round with a more 'left field' appointment more likely the next time unless a 'left field' candidate stood out this time.

So if the names been linked the last few days are true it would suggest that they are either (a) standout candidates or (b) we couldnt get our preferred option of successful english experience or wasnt impressed with the ones we did speak too..

As i know we spoke to Moyes and Lowe and supposedly Russell Martin in the earlier rounds of talks it would suggest its more than likely option (b).

I think Rob Edwards has done a good job at Luton and if he has been sacked i hope he has a break from football, he has looked shell shocked the last couple of months anyway but from our side its rare nowadays for sacked managers to go straight into another job and be a success.

As i say i dont know anything about Wicky or Fischer but they both seemed to of had some success, i would rather that and a bit of failure than a complete novice or a coach who hasnt had any success yet.

[Mo]

Just to add to my point, in the last 10 seasons, there's been 8 other championship managers leave due to being poached during the season, hence directly comparable to our situation. The average time of replacement is 10 days. The more successful replacements (Mowbray to Sunderland, Edwards to Luton, Frank to Brentford) were all within 7 days. The longest time of replacement was 17 days.

We're coming up to 16 days, so its within the realm but its certainly not normal to go much beyond that, and the successful replacements were by and large the quicker ones. The due diligence stuff makes no sense. The most likely reason it's taking time is due to lack of options rather than us being uniquely diligent.

Due diligence can also provide paralysis by analysis , there certainly seems to be a
Lot of ‘ analysis ‘ going into this appointment .

[Bigrob80]

I think the timing has caught the club off guard a little Christmas Eve doesn’t leave much time for serious recruitment for a day or 2. People don’t respond immediately and given we had 7 or so on the shortlist this could account for a few days alone, others may have also been highlighted in this process adding more days. We get to a shortlist and interview all and then make a decision. Given it was new year as well we can’t be far away from finding out?

[LiamTheBaggie]

What’s the rush ?id rarther them take longer and get the right man

There is no guarantee that taking longer ends up with the right man being appointed - our history on that logic lead us to the likes of Mel, Irvine and as Dan said before giving up on our search.

Whilst there is no immediate rush, we’re in a busy part of the season with the transfer window open and it has taken the club over two weeks to determine the individuals it wishes to interview. The fact that the appointment may take so long is not good evidence of a club being ran particularly well, or knowing how it wants to proceed. The media have reported that as part of this process we have spoken to both Moyes and Martin which seems a bit of a scattergun approach for my liking given there are no similarities between the two.

The leg work for this appointment should have commenced months ago, to enable a Swift appointment to be made. Not carrying out this due diligence when the horse had bolted.

[alex1]

Just to add to my point, in the last 10 seasons, there's been 8 other championship managers leave due to being poached during the season, hence directly comparable to our situation. The average time of replacement is 10 days. The more successful replacements (Mowbray to Sunderland, Edwards to Luton, Frank to Brentford) were all within 7 days. The longest time of replacement was 17 days.

We're coming up to 16 days, so its within the realm but its certainly not normal to go much beyond that, and the successful replacements were by and large the quicker ones. The due diligence stuff makes no sense. The most likely reason it's taking time is due to lack of options rather than us being uniquely diligent.

Just because they were quicker, does not mean they were better appointments. The old saying. 'act in haste, repent at leisure' comes to mind.
Unless a special target has become free, and we are in a race (with other clubs) to secure him. Each case needs to take account of the current situation.

[BagAlbion123]

I am sorry but 2 weeks to whittle down a shortlist is an absolute joke. What if we lost all our Xmas games? Season would've been a write off

[TAFKATMNo1Fan]

I am sorry but 2 weeks to whittle down a shortlist is an absolute joke. What if we lost all our Xmas games? Season would've been a write off

Only 1 week really. Christmas

[kanu]

There is no guarantee that taking longer ends up with the right man being appointed - our history on that logic lead us to the likes of Mel, Irvine and as Dan said before giving up on our search.

Whilst there is no immediate rush, we’re in a busy part of the season with the transfer window open and it has taken the club over two weeks to determine the individuals it wishes to interview. The fact that the appointment may take so long is not good evidence of a club being ran particularly well, or knowing how it wants to proceed. The media have reported that as part of this process we have spoken to both Moyes and Martin which seems a bit of a scattergun approach for my liking given there are no similarities between the two.

The leg work for this appointment should have commenced months ago, to enable a Swift appointment to be made. Not carrying out this due diligence when the horse had bolted.

Bit silly this, on one hand you say there’s no particular rush then you slate the club for taking too long. How could the leg work be done months ago? Some on the list we’rent even available then. It took the club nearly 4 weeks to appoint Mowbray after Robson, quick decisions aren’t always the best. I reckon the new owners have handled things well and not panicked. I believe we’re in good hands at last.

[elmo_in_swansea]

Come on everybody it's the Albion we're dealing with here! We never do things the easy way!
Let's just hope our new owners get it right!

[gazberg]

Bit silly this, on one hand you say there’s no particular rush then you slate the club for taking too long. How could the leg work be done months ago? Some on the list we’rent even available then. It took the club nearly 4 weeks to appoint Mowbray after Robson, quick decisions aren’t always the best. I reckon the new owners have handled things well and not panicked. I believe we’re in good hands at last.

Yup, i think it's very possible that the club have been caught a little short and haven't done ALL the legwork in the background they probably should have however to me that doesn't mean that you then go on to rush and appoint someone for the sake of it.

What's done is done and what's gone is gone. Probably feels worse than it is due to Corberan leaving at the dawn of the most congested fixture period in the season calender which makes it feel like a lot has passed and truthfully in number of games it has but it is what it is.

For the sake of a few more days i'm happy to wait if it helps them be sure and of course, there are no guarantees no matter how long it takes to make a decision.

[LiamTheBaggie]

Bit silly this, on one hand you say there’s no particular rush then you slate the club for taking too long. How could the leg work be done months ago? Some on the list we’rent even available then. It took the club nearly 4 weeks to appoint Mowbray after Robson, quick decisions aren’t always the best. I reckon the new owners have handled things well and not panicked. I believe we’re in good hands at last.

Sorry, it should have read no immediate rush from supporters, not the club. Which is in response to the comments made about Dans original point on this issue.

The sounding out of potential candidates, or at the very minimum the approach you want to take, should have commenced months ago. The loss of Corberan was not surprising given his agent had linked him to every job.

I don’t buy the Robson to Mowbray comparison. That appointment was made by a privelleged accountant. The whole point of having directors of football in place is to ensure sufficient planning is carried out and continuity for when the change takes place. Dan has provided some useful examples of where well run football clubs have made Swift, successful appointments..

I also believe we’re in good hands, that does not mean they’re not immune to criticism however.

[Standaman]

It is not unreasonable to take time over an appointment. It doesn't matter how quickly or slowly you appoint Frank Lampard he still is going to be Frank Lampard. '

I take all reports of conversations with any potential candidate with a huge pinch of salt because the only people that put a name out there are agents who let's face it have their own agendas and are only on nodding terms with the truth. The only time the club has confirmed or denied any link was with Luke Williams and only then because the situation was getting embarrassing.

On the subject of embarrassment the fact that Potter was lined up for the West Ham job was splashed all over the media 48 hours before the club fired Lopetegui was classless. Equally very  early in Patel's ownership there was a rumour circulating that we were lining up Torino's coach to replace Corberan.

How well prepared can a club be when talking to an agent to confirm a potential replacements interest in the job turns into a "West Brom line up coach X to replace Corberan" headline?

[DevonInStripes]

I’ve no idea about the capabilities of any of the continental candidates. I do know who I wouldn’t want of the British managers mentioned and certainly a number would leave the fan base generally under whelmed if they were appointed and would be certainly viewed as a retrograde step compared to Corberan.

[Hull Baggie]

I am sorry but 2 weeks to whittle down a shortlist is an absolute joke. What if we lost all our Xmas games? Season would've been a write off

What if we'd won all our X-mas fixtures? Fans would be saying no rush we are in safe hands, in the play offs etc. See, it works both ways.
 Fact is we won 1 and lost 1. We are in the play offs, have a cup fixture this weekend, so still have time on our sides.

[hardtobeat]

As the " how long does it take" debate rumbles on I was wondering what is the latest people would accept as being reasonable for the appointment to be made ?

[MarkW]

As the " how long does it take" debate rumbles on I was wondering what is the latest people would accept as being reasonable for the appointment to be made ?

I would expect someone to be in place by early next week so they have a week to prepare for Stoke. While I am not too bothered by us taking our time, a decision needs to be made one way or the other, and a new head coach will need to have time to assess the squad and if that impacts any transfer plans. I think our squad is reasonably flexible in terms of coping with a back 3 or back 4, so that shouldn't be an issue, but you never know how opinions differ on players.

[BalisPen]

I don't care about how long it takes if it ensures we get the right manager.

[kanu]

Sorry, it should have read no immediate rush from supporters, not the club. Which is in response to the comments made about Dans original point on this issue.

The sounding out of potential candidates, or at the very minimum the approach you want to take, should have commenced months ago. The loss of Corberan was not surprising given his agent had linked him to every job.

I don’t buy the Robson to Mowbray comparison. That appointment was made by a privelleged accountant. The whole point of having directors of football in place is to ensure sufficient planning is carried out and continuity for when the change takes place. Dan has provided some useful examples of where well run football clubs have made Swift, successful appointments..

I also believe we’re in good hands, that does not mean they’re not immune to criticism however.

Still doesnt make sense. 16 days with the Christmas / new year period thrown is not too long at all. Mowbray was an inspired choice and as I said took nearly 4 weeks, doesnt matter who made that choice it was the right one done with a bit of patience. If there’s no manager by the end of Jan that could be a disaster but as most posters on here have said for now 16 days+ is just fine.

[MarkW]

I don't care about how long it takes if it ensures we get the right manager.

The issue with that, is we can only judge a manager after 10+ games, maybe even more to account for "it not being their squad", or "they need time to have the players adapt" or whatever else you (not actually you) want to say depending on if you are pro or anti the new person.

Football is chaotic and so you have to have good processes in place, and acknowledge sometimes even when you do everything right, it goes wrong. But if you have the correct processes then hopefully you give yourself the best chance of things going right.

I would argue if we take too long then it suggests a problem in the decision-making process. Either we were unprepared for Corberan going, or we are being indecisive, or there is an internal power-struggle between Nestor and Pearce.

[timdon]

The issue with that, is we can only judge a manager after 10+ games, maybe even more to account for "it not being their squad", or "they need time to have the players adapt" or whatever else you (not actually you) want to say depending on if you are pro or anti the new person.

Football is chaotic and so you have to have good processes in place, and acknowledge sometimes even when you do everything right, it goes wrong. But if you have the correct processes then hopefully you give yourself the best chance of things going right.

I would argue if we take too long then it suggests a problem in the decision-making process. Either we were unprepared for Corberan going, or we are being indecisive, or there is an internal power-struggle between Nestor and Pearce.

I'm willing to bet that there will be people on here who start to judge before that. But it's all a bit of a pointless discussion at the moment. It takes as long as it takes and we'll know the choice fairly soon I'm sure (I anticipate the person watching the cup game on Saturday). In the meantime, there's absolutely zilch that any of us can do to speed things up, so really no point in any of us getting our knickers in a twist.

[MarkW]

I'm willing to bet that there will be people on here who start to judge before that. But it's all a bit of a pointless discussion at the moment. It takes as long as it takes and we'll know the choice fairly soon I'm sure (I anticipate the person watching the cup game on Saturday). In the meantime, there's absolutely zilch that any of us can do to speed things up, so really no point in any of us getting our knickers in a twist.

I don't think people are commenting on it because they think it will affect the club, but this is absolutely the place for fans to express any concerns, or not.

[Standaman]

Odds courtesy of Bet Victor as at Midnight 9/1/2025

Rene Hake 4/5
Urs Fischer 5/2
Raphael Wicky 3/1

6/1 Bar

We are only aware of these names because they have appeared the betting markets and been backed down to short odds. There is nothing out anywhere that ratifies this as our short list and absolutely nothing to say where the club ranks the 3 candidates.

That said we will be making an appointment shortly and at least some people are prepared to bet it is one of the above.