West Bromwich Albion owner Guochuan Lai blocked the potential appointments of Chris Wilder and Michael Appleton, with David Wagner now expected to become the Baggies’ new manager instead, as reported by the Birmingham Mail.
When Wilder walked away from Bramall Lane in March, we were all left wondering how badly his reputation had been scarred by Sheffield United’s disastrous 2020/21 – a campaign so horrific it almost brought a new meaning to the phrase ‘second-season syndrome’.
Well, in the last three months, vacancies at Celtic, Tottenham, Everton, Wolves and Crystal Palace have all opened up without Wilder’s name ever really getting a mention.
And that, unfortunately, speaks volumes.
The 53-year-old had looked destined to get back on the managerial horse at The Hawthorns, however.
West Brom recently agreed a deal in principle with a man who dragged boyhood club Sheffield United from the third-tier to the brink of European qualification in the space of three seasons, before everything crumbled in double-quick time.
The Athletic backs up these claims, saying Wilder not only wanted the Baggies job, he was also the preferred choice of many behind the scenes.
Why did West Brom turn down Chris Wilder?
Lai, however, saw things rather differently.
The West Brom owner is reported to have been spooked by the way Wilder would publicly criticise his Sheffield United bosses; a dramatic falling out with the Blades’ top brass making his position untenable in the end.
Lai maybe feared that the straight-talking Yorkshireman would cause problems behind the scenes at West Brom.
As a result, West Brom have instead turned to another coach with a Championship promotion on his CV.
The calming presence David Wagner, four years after inspiring an unfancied Huddersfield Town side to play-off victory on a shoestring budget, is set to be appointed as Sam Allardyce’s replacement.
The report adds that Lai also vetoed an approach for ex-Baggies ace and Lincoln City boss Michael Appleton, as he did not want to pay a compensation fee for the 45-year-old.
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