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New leading contender in West Brom’s manager search as Carlos Corberan speaks on leaving

There is a new leading contender in West Brom’s manager search according to reports as Carlos Corberan speaks on leaving the club.

La Liga strugglers Valencia have appointed the Baggies boss as their new head coach having paid a release clause, thought to be between £3-4million, in the 41-year-old Spaniard’s contract.

Corberan has signed a deal until the end of the 2026-27 season with Valencia, who sacked head coach Ruben Baraja earlier this week after picking up just two wins in 17 league matches for the 2024/25 season.

Coaches Chris Brunt, Damia Abella and Boaz Myhill are placed in caretaker charge for West Brom, ahead of the Boxing Day game at Derby County while they continue their look for a new coach.

Carlos Corberan said in a tweet posted on Christmas Day: “I cannot begin to explain how I feel aboUt West Bromwich Albion, its fans and everyone associated with the club.

“In my more than two years here I have only felt LOVE from this community and the decision to leave has been the hardest of my life.

“There will ALWAYS be a place in my heart for this special club and I hope one day I can return to thank
you all for your incredible support.”

Meanwhile, sources to Football Insider have said that Liverpool first-team coach John Heitinga is a leading contender to be the new West Brom manager.

Heitinga’s Premier League experience and his progressive style of management makes him an attractive option for West Brom as they look at potential options to keep their bid for promotion on track.

FAVOURITES TO BECOME NEW WEST BROM MANAGER

BetVictor – 26 Dec
Mark Robins – 4/1
Steve Cooper – 5/1
Gary O’Neil – 8/1
Russell Martin – 8/1
David Moyes – 10/1
Steven Schumacher – 14/1

West Brom chairman Shilen Patel tweeted: “I want to thank Carlos for all of his hard work since his arrival at the Albion at one of the most challenging times in the club’s modern era. I am grateful for his contributions and wish Carlos and his family all the best on his new journey!”

BBC Radio WM’s Steve Hermon gave some analysis for BBC Sport following Carlos’s decision to join Valencia…

“West Bromwich Albion left it late to deliver their Christmas Eve bombshell that Carlos Corberan was leaving to take over at Valencia.

“Santa Claus was well into his round when the announcement came at just 20 minutes to midnight.

“But where does it now leave the club? And their now former head coach.

“Going back to Spain to manage Valencia may prove to be a risk for 41-year-old Corberan.

“Just ask one of his predecessors in the job, Gary Neville!

“The men from the Mestalla are in the relegation zone, have had financial difficulties and, since current Aston Villa boss Unai Emery left in 2012, only one manager has lasted longer than two years in charge.

“But then there’s Albion’s own financial situation.

“Corberan’s hands have been tied for most of his 26-month reign.

“He was appointed as Steve Bruce’s successor in October 2022 when chairman Guochuan Lai was still officially at the helm, but in name only, with presence and financial support completely non-existent. Yet Corberan organised a team who went from the relegation zone to just missing out on a 2022-23 Championship play-off place.

“The following season, he did achieve a place in the top six, losing in the semis to Southampton, with whom he was also linked last week – again without a single penny for his recruitment team to spend.

“But his coaching qualities came to the fore as he turned cast-offs such as Cedric Kipre and Alex Mowatt into vital members of his starting XI, which he has done again this season with Karlan Grant.

“Despite American businessman Shilen Patel’s February takeover, the club’s financial restrictions remain ongoing. Only last week it was revealed that the decreased wage budget back in the summer was actually as much as 30%, forcing the loss of several players.

“For the Baggies, it’s a blow in the short term – particularly the timing of it with three games to come in six days over the festive period. But it may be a move that suits all parties.

“Corberan gets to finally test himself in the top flight of an elite league, he gets a move close to his family and that vocal minority of Albion fans who’ve become tired of his football will get to see something different.

“However, that comes with a side warning of ‘be careful what you wish for’ because the job he has done in stabilising the club on the field during a period of utter turmoil cannot be understated and they’re definitely in a better place compared with two years ago.

“He should leave with the well wishes of the majority of Baggies supporters – and definitely will with those he worked with at the training ground because, as well as being a top coach, most importantly, he is a decent man.”

Here’s how fans reacted with Carlos Corberan speaks on leaving as a leading contender emerges in West Brom’s manager search…

@elis_hxrrison11: Thank you for making me fall in love with my club again 💙 more importantly, thank you for helping make sure we all still have a club to support. Good luck at Valencia, we’ll all be supporting you from afar 🤍 Feliz Navidad, Gracias y Adios

@RyanPGlasgow: When previous managers and players have left I say nothing and it really doesn’t bother me. To you, I have to thank you for everything you’ve done, we all remember that first game against Sheffield UTD sat bottom of the league, what you have done is phenomenal.

@Darkbluebaggie: Good luck and thanks for everything you have done in helping get our fantastic club back on the straight and narrow. It can’t have been easy. Hopefully we can continue to progress and you will have success back home with Valencia.

@2oddshapedballs: I really do not think that anyone could have worked harder, and an opportunity to go back home was impossible to turn down. Good luck and thank you.

@warnerchief: Thank you Carlos, an absolute student of the game, workaholic and everything you have done in your tenure has 100% been for the best of the club. Good luck to the your ambitions, a true professional dedicated to their craft.

@JamesHamiltonGK: All the best Carlos . For me you have to go down as one of the greatest and important managers we’ve had . Look like heading to League one before you took over . Managed to turned the ship around and changed the momentum. Good luck !!!

@SJB74: Thank you for doing the job under difficult circumstances and turning it around the way you did. The fans will always be grateful for that and wish you all the very best at your home town club @valenciacf_en ‘muchas gracias Carlos’

@itstompreston: Joined at a real low point in our modern history. You helped galvanise the club and fan base and personally restored a lot of love I’d lost for football at that time. All the best gaffer 💙

@IEHutchings: The chance to return home is something we can at least understand. Not many managers get to leave on their own terms. Thank you for your efforts and leaving West Brom in a much better position than when you arrived. Good luck at Valencia!!

@DarrenGuest7: Thank you for saving the club from relegation and getting us in a betrrr position than when you joined. Only negative, you might want a better agent, seems every month he was linking you to other jobs, Leeds, Everton, Leicester and so on. Best of luck 🤝

@CJHall83: Thank you Carlos. You were our hero at a time when the club needed saving. We will never forget what you did for us at a time when we easily could have found ourselves without a club. I hope it goes superbly in Valencia 💙🤍

@AliJones9: I know how hard you have worked for this club, and how important you work has been. Thank you and all the best.

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