World Cup Watch: West Brom should keep tabs on England boss
Published:In relative terms, West Bromwich Albion had a quite exciting summer from a transfer perspective last season, yet still couldn’t break the monotony of a safe, mid-table Premier League finish.
The arrivals of Nicolas Anelka, Stephane Sessegnon and Diego Lugano, among others, couldn’t fire the Baggies any hire than a 17th-place finish and as a result the club go into this off-season in pursuit of a new manager, as well as playing staff.
Here’s a few candidates taking part in the World Cup that could fill the WBA vacancies.
Roy Hodgson – England – Manager
Hodgson’s Hawthorns tenure between February 2011 and June 2012 is arguably the last time he felt truly loved in management, with his Liverpool stint short-lived and well known English hype heaping the pressure on him ahead of his Brazil trip.
Known as a conservative boss, failing to meet expectations having picked a young and vibrant squad could see Hodgson feel the FA’s boot, making a comfortable return to the midlands all the more possible. Roy is 11/8 to exit the World Cup at the group stage.
Jerry Bengston – Honduras – Striker
Although West Brom sat in the middle section for goals scored in the Premier League this season, not one of the five strikers they used over the course of the campaign scored more than three goals.
With the need for a goal scorer desperate but cash on the low side, West Brom could do worse than the Honduran forward who scored nine goals during his country’s qualifying campaign.
Jorge Valdivia – Chile – Midfielder
It’s hardly surprising that the strikers struggled to find the net, when the service they received was about as sharp as a hungover Little Chef waiter’s.
Chris Brunt’s five assists led the way, but a move for the experienced the Chilean playmaker could ease those woes.
At 30-years-old West Brom wouldn’t be buying for the future, but they’d certainly be solving a problem area of their squad without too much expense.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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