"A gamble" - Pundit warns West Brom after manager hunt developments | OneFootball

FLW spoke to Carlton Palmer about West Bromwich Albion's rumoured interest in Rene Hake and Raphael Wicky.

Former West Bromwich Albion player Carlton Palmer has warned the Baggies that they are taking "a gamble" with their approach to finding Carlos Corberan's successor.

According to Sky Sports' Live Blog (09/01, 08:46), Albion have narrowed the shortlist down to two contenders in the form of Rene Hake and Raphael Wicky.

Hake was previously in a job just a matter of months ago as he sat the post of assistant coach to Erik ten Hag. Meanwhile, Wicky was most recently head coach at BSC Young Boys, where in 2022-23 he managed to secure the domestic double of the Swiss Super League and Swiss Cup.

However, despite Wicky's impressive success, it appears the Dutchman is the frontrunner. According to Football Insider, Hake has reportedly 'verbally accepted' the West Brom job, with contracts now understood to be in the process of being finalised.

With Hake leading the race but Wicky still in contention, Football League World spoke exclusively to Palmer to get his thoughts on whether either coach would be a good appointment for West Brom.

He said: "West Brom are looking at former Erik ten Hag assistant Rene Hake and former Young Boys boss Raphael Wicky as possible replacements for Carlos Corberan.

"I think it is a gamble. I don't know where they have found them.

"Hake has previously taken charge of FC Emmen and FC Twente but he has a lack o EFL experience. He was assistant to the former Manchester United manager, ten Hag, at Old Trafford, but it is a different ball game when you are taking over permanently.

"It is interesting that West Brom are looking outside available managers who have got experience. You have Schumacher, Cooper, Russell Martin who have got experience of the Championship.

"Why would you go and gamble when you are in a play-off position with someone outside that remit, who doesn't really know what that level is about.

"It is a risk, and it is a hell of a gamble given the position you are in.

"You could have taken someone who is tried and trusted like a Cooper or a Martin, who have that Championship experience."

Rene Hake is a surprising choice for West Brom

While Hake and Wicky emerged as the final two contenders, it is understood that Blackburn Rovers' John Eustace was initially considered but was ultimately excluded from the shortlist.

With the Dutch coach now firmly leading the race, it must be noted that his credentials fall somewhat short of Wicky's.

Most recently, the former SC Oranje player was in charge of FC Utrecht and Go Ahead Eagles. Across these two jobs, he had a points-per-game (PPG) record of 1.50 and 1.37 respectively, which isn't superb when considering the level of the Eredivisie.

In contrast, while Wicky was sacked from his job at YB, his PPG record stood at 1.97, with the 47-year-old winning 51 of his 88 games in charge.

This makes it evermore surprising that Hake is first choice, with his interview obviously going some way to convincing the Baggies hierarchy.

Nonetheless, the Albion faithful are likely to rally behind their new boss, if appointed, and will be hopeful that he can guide the team to a top-six finish by May.