West Bromwich Albion appear to be stepping up their search for a new manager after missing out on promotion out of the Championship.
According to a report from The Sun, West Brom are considering both Michael O’Neill and Lee Bowyer as they look for their permanent successor for Darren Moore at the Hawthorns this summer.
Jimmy Shan took over in the wake of Moore’s controversial sacking earlier in the season. And he did a good job, taking the Baggies to the brink of the Championship play-off final before they suffered play-off heartbreak.
Their exit from the promotion race has seemingly proved to be the catalyst for the board to get on with appointing their manager for next season, and The Sun has named a couple of the candidates on their radar.
The Sun suggests that Charlton Athletic boss Bowyer is wanted, while Northern Ireland manager O’Neill is also being considered.
Bowyer could still take the Addicks back to the Championship this season with the club set to face Sunderland in the League One play-off final. It is easy to forget that this year has been the former England international’s first full campaign as a manager, so it is no surprise that he is attracting attention from higher up the pyramid.
Meanwhile, O’Neill has worked wonders with Northern Ireland. But it still feels like a slightly surprising name to have in the mix given that he has not managed a club side for eight years.
Given the size of the club, it could be a crucial summer for the Baggies as they look to make sure that they get themselves back into the Premier League before the key players that still remain at the Hawthorns move on or can no longer contribute.
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