Although he was said to be a fan i dont suppose Peace would care as much about what happened to the club as much as we do, but i still dont think him selling to Lai was so bad, its what happened since then thats gone wrong but all the initial signs and even the first year were positive from Lai, it was relegation that season that changed things.
Lai probably thought after 8 years established in the premier league with the income and exposure that brings, we were a pretty safe investment, a year later he had lost half his investment, whether he or his advisors knew the consequences financially of relegation from the premier league, we will never know.
As others have said, i would like a long term plan but as fans we have to accept that will also take time and have setbacks and keep sacking managers isnt the way every time there is a bad spell, whoever comes in if / when that plan starts needs support and patience from the club and fans.
Ideally you would get a Bristol City type owner, local wealthy person who wants the best for the club and the area, failing that a Leicester City type foreign ownership, again who just seems to get the club, i am not sure how many of those are kicking about West Bromwich.
I dont think many billionaires will be in for us, you then go to Wolves type owner who at the moment is working for them but something just doesnt seem right about that setup and not sure how long it will last but time will tell. Burnley are trying an alternate route but there approach seems to have the new owners take on a debt to sign younger players and sell which i am pretty sure is what most clubs do anyway, so not sure whats so revolutionary about that but again time will tell.
After that you start getting into consortiums and investors, sometimes that works, others it doesnt, but more than likely thats who will buy us and i think it will be very much business as usual and same sort of running of the club as Peace and Lai.