David Moyes is the popular choice amongst West Bromwich Albion fans to succeed Pepe Mel, who was sacked on Monday afternoon.
Despite leading the Baggies to Premier League survival having replaced Steve Clarke in January, Mel did so after winning just three of his 17 matches in charge. The Spaniard was shown the Hawthorns exit door within 24 hours of the final league match of the season, and the Midlands club are now on the lookout for another new boss.
The Express and Star posted a poll on their website to ask Albion fans who they want to become their sixth permanent appointment in five years, and Moyes is currently the overwhelming favourite with 32 percent of the votes. Former Swansea City boss Michael Laudrup is second in the poll, receiving 17 percent of nominations.
12 months ago Moyes was given the biggest job in the country, when Sir Alex Ferguson handpicked him to replace him at Manchester United. However, he struggled badly at Old Trafford and was sacked in April. The Reds relinquished their grip on the title without so much of a fight under the former Everton boss, and eventually finished seventh in the table and without any silverware to add to their honours list.
Despite this, the 51-year-old is regarded as one of the best coaches in the country, due to his impressive decade at Goodison Park in which he regularly had the Toffees competing for a place in the top-four. This could make his possible appointment at the Baggies unlikely, but it would certainly show ambition should he be approached.
Meanwhile, the Express and Star are also reporting that Brian McDermott is a potential option to succeed Mel. The former Reading boss currently has an uncertain future at Leeds United under new owner Massimo Cellino, and could become available if the controversial Italian decides to start afresh at Elland Road next season.
Others believed to be on the shortlist are Malky Mackay and Chris Hughton, both of whom lost their jobs this season at Cardiff City and Norwich City respectively. Tim Sherwood, who was sacked by Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday afternoon, could also be an option after he admitted he fully intends to continue as a manager.
The man charged with the task of finding a replacement for Mel is Terry Burton, who has rejoined Albion as technical director. The 61-year-old spent four months at the Hawthorns as first team coach under Roy Hodgson in 2011-12, and was more recently head of youth coaching at Arsenal. He said: “I’m delighted to be coming back. It’s a terrific football club and this is a new, exciting chapter in my career.”
