West Brom’s reported interest in Mick McCarthy would surely prompt fan backlash

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West Bromwich Albion have been linked with a move for Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy.

Alan Pardew is already at risk of losing his job as West Bromwich Albion boss, though suggestions that the club may target Ipswich Town manager Mick McCarthy are unlikely to appease disgruntled supporters.

Pardew saw his Baggies side lose 2-1 at home to Huddersfield Town on Saturday afternoon, leaving them seven points adrift of safety having claimed just three Premier League wins all season.

There has been no bounce in form under Pardew, as West Brom have won three of their 17 games under his stewardship in all competitions, with two of those coming in the FA Cup – and The Guardian now claim that Pardew may have one more game to get a win, and defeat at Watford on Saturday could lead to his departure.

Some fans are already looking towards Pardew’s eventual replacement, and few would have thought of Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy, but the Daily Mail claim he could be in the frame for the Baggies this summer with clubs impressed with his work at Portman Road.

In more than five years at Ipswich, McCarthy has won 38% of his 271 games in charge of the Tractor Boys, working well on a budget throughout his time with the club, though fans have been left a little underwhelmed with the style of play under his tenure.

As a proven Championship boss with two title wins to his name, McCarthy may not be the worst suggestion in the world…if it wasn’t for his links to West Brom’s bitter rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he took charge of 270 games.

McCarthy’s time with Wolves saw him win promotion to the top flight before being sacked in February 2012, ironically after a 5-1 home thrashing at the hands of West Brom, with Wolves fans echoing the sentiments of Ipswich fans regarding McCarthy’s approach and style of play.

His dismal end to his Molineux spell would be enough to put any West Brom fan off the idea of hiring McCarthy, and after the appointment of Pardew went down so badly, bringing in McCarthy as his replacement may be one of the few moves to generate an even worse reaction from Baggies fans, in what could be a final straw for many.