5 managers who West Bromwich Albion should target for next season

West Bromwich Albion v Swansea City - Premier League
Going down?

With it looking increasingly likely that West Bromwich Albion will be relegated from the Premier League, many of their fans have started to wonder what is in store for next season. Their current manager, Alan Pardew, has his future with the Baggies in real doubt.

The Baggies need to start rebuilding for their season-long challenge of heading back to the Premier League. Here are 5 managers who they should target for next season in the Championship:

#1 Graham Potter

Arsenal v Ostersunds FK - UEFA Europa League
Arsenal v Ostersunds FK - UEFA Europa League

The Englishman has done an outstanding job with Swedish side Ostersunds. Having taken over them in the fourth division, he has guided them to the first tier of Swedish football. Potter has also taken them into the Europa League against all odds and he looks to have a bright future in the game ahead of him.

His style of management is also something that needs to be addressed with him. He went into Ostersunds and changed the perception and tactics of the club and thus made them a force to be reckoned with.

West Brom should try and bring him as he would be a good long-term option for them and would help try and galvanize their team, should they be relegated of course. It would obviously be a gamble to appoint him with him never managing in the Championship before, however, sometimes gambles turn out to be masterstrokes. Potter has what it takes in my opinion.

#2 Dean Smith

Brentford v Derby County - Sky Bet Championship
Brentford v Derby County - Sky Bet Championship

This may come as a surprise, but Dean Smith would be ideal for West Brom. The 47-year-old is experienced at this level and his Brentford side play exciting and attacking football. If West Brom are to bounce back at the first attempt next season, then that is the type of football they should go for.

Smith started his managerial career at Walsall and he spent four seasons with the League One side. He was snapped up by Brentford in November 2015 and has been there since. He is a popular man at Griffin Park and he would be hard to lure away.

However, if West Brom want someone who has been in the Championship before then Smith would be ideal for them.

#3 Michael Appleton

Swansea City v Leicester City - Premier League
Swansea City v Leicester City - Premier League

The 42-year-old is another option for the Baggies. They should go for Appleton as he knows the club inside out having played for West Brom and coached there too.

He is a highly respected coach in the game and would be another who is a good long-term option. He is currently the assistant manager of Premier League side Leicester City but you would feel he would jump at the chance of managing West Brom.

He has previously managed Portsmouth, Blackpool, Blackburn Rovers and Oxford United. The first three mentioned are not easy clubs to manage and that proves that he is a man who is up for a challenge.

He also did a great job at Oxford and got them promoted from League Two in 2015 and guided them to two consecutive Football League trophy finals. He deserves another chance as a number one and West Brom should give him one.

#4 Derek McInnes

Partick Thistle v Aberdeen - Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership
Partick Thistle v Aberdeen - Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership

The Scottish boss was heavily linked with the Baggies after they sacked Tony Pulis earlier this season. He has done an outstanding job with Scottish Premier League side Aberdeen.

He is another who West Brom should target as he has a point to prove in England. He had a spell with Bristol City in 2013 which did not go to plan and a move back to the Championship would be an opportunity to prove himself.

His Aberdeen side are very well organised and he has a very strong option in his ranks. He would be a solid appointment by the Baggies but would be hard to lure away from Aberdeen. Sunderland and Rangers have found this out over the past couple of months.

#5 Slaven Bilic

West Ham United v Southampton - Premier League
West Ham United v Southampton - Premier League

The Croatian boss has been without a job since being sacked by West Ham United. Although it looks like West Brom will be in the Championship next season, this would still be an opportunity for him to get back into the game.

He has proven himself to be a top manager and if West Brom want a big name to lead them forward then Bilic would be ideal. However, he would be hard to lure into the second tier.

But still, Bilic should be targeted by West Brom as he has a vast amount of experience and contacts in the game which could benefit them and he could be tempted by them if he was given money to spend.

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Edited by Sripad