West Bromwich Albion have reached a verbal agreement to hire a new manager, according to a fresh report.
The Baggies have been without a regular manager since Christmas Eve, when Carlos Corberan left for Valencia, leaving Chris Brunt in charge and managing the team through four Championship games.
A number of managers have been associated with The Hawthorns post, including England U21 coach Lee Carsley, who is reported to have rejected down the position in order to stay with the Three Lions.
More recently, Fabrizio Romano stated that West Brom had begun talks with former Manchester United assistant Rene Hake, who was one of three leading possibilities.
Lewis Cox of The Express and Star has also stated that Raphael Wicky has met with the West Brom leadership, but a new update suggests that Hake could be the Baggies’ new manager.
West Brom verbally agree deal with Rene Hake
According to Football Insider, West Brom have reached a verbal deal with Hake to take the Baggies position.
According to the article, contracts are being negotiated after Hake agreed to those in the West Midlands, beating over Urs Fischer, John Eustace, and Wicky for the position.
According to Transfermarkt, Hake plays a defensive 4-3-3 style of football, and this will be his first managing duty since July 2024, when he left the Go Ahead Eagles to become assistant manager at Old Trafford.
It could be a mixed response at The Hawthorns, with one Baggies fan pundit telling Football League World that he is “cautious” about signing the 53-year-old.
“I don’t know very much about Rene Hake. Looking at his record, he has had a mixed experience in the Netherlands, coaching Utrecht, Go Ahead Eagles, and a number of teams that finished in the middle of the Eredivisie.
“It’s hard to predict if he’ll be a good fit. If he plays like Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, Albion fans may be put off by him. If he gets the position, the fans will have to get behind him.
“I’d be wary about being overly optimistic or gloomy until we hear the other names for the post. It’s reported he’s one of three candidates in the running, so I’d like to know who the other candidates are that Albion is discussing with. The fundamental feelings are mixed, and it’s tough to make any significant assumptions right now.”
