West Brom are in advanced talks to appoint former Newcastle manager Steve Bruce as their new head coach following the sacking of Valerian Ismael.
Bruce could be set for a return to management after being sacked by Newcastle in October.
Following his dismissal from Tyneside, Bruce hinted at retirement suggesting the Newcastle job was his “last”.
But the 61-year-old is now the front-runner to replace Ismael, who was sacked on Wednesday after just seven months in charge.
Ismael departed following two successive Championship defeats, which left the Baggies fifth, eight points adrift of the automatic promotion places.
  West Brom, who failed to score in both losses to Millwall and Preston, had received a further setback when new striker Daryl Dike was ruled out by injury.
The Frenchman, who was told of his sacking on Wednesday, won just 12 of his 31 matches in charge and the Albion board felt the poor run of results was unacceptable for a club with aspirations for promotion this season.
The club announced Ismael had left his position in a statement on Wednesday afternoon, which read: “West Bromwich Albion Football Club can confirm Valerien Ismael has today left his position as head coach.
Assistant head coach Adam Murray has also departed The Hawthorns.
“The club would like to place on record its thanks to Valerien and Adam for their efforts and wishes them well in the future.
“The process of recruiting a new head coach is now under way and an appointment will be announced in due course.”
