West Bromwich Albion could move for Brentford’s Smith, Leicester City’s Appleton or Aberdeen’s McInnes if Alan Pardew is sacked.
Brentford manager Dean Smith and former West Bromwich Albion players Michael Appleton and Derek McInnes – now the Leicester City assistant and Aberdeen manager, respectively – are in the frame to succeed Alan Pardew as Baggies boss this summer, according to the Telegraph.
The report claims Pardew is set to hold crisis talks with West Brom chief executive Mark Jenkins on Monday, having overseen Albion’s seventh successive defeat, which left them eight points adrift of safety at the bottom of the Premier League.
It adds that the 56-year-old – who was sworn in to replace Tony Pulis in late November – has only avoided the sack thus far due to a lack of available alternatives.
According to the Telegraph, Pardew’s reign could still be brought to an end in the coming days if the West Brom hierarchy believe a change will save their season, in which there are eight games left to play.
However, the report suggests that neither Smith, Appleton nor McInnes would not be targeted until the campaign is over, with each having loose ends still to tie up.
Smith’s Brentford still harbour faint hopes of a top-six Championship finish, while Appleton’s Leicester and McInees’ Aberdeen still have something to play for in two competitions.
Smith could be a popular appointment with West Brom fans – some of whom called for the former Walsall manager to replace Pardew last week.
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