Exclusive: West Brom backed to appoint ex-Wolves boss - He'll bring "freshness and energy" | OneFootball

Joe Jacobson has told FLW his thoughts on West Brom potentially appointing Gary O'Neil as manager

Joe Jacobson believes Gary O’Neil could be a fresh appointment for West Brom to make as a replacement for Tony Mowbray.

The ex-Wolves boss has emerged as one of the bookies’ early favourites for the position after the Baggies dismissed Mowbray earlier this week.

Albion will miss out on a play-off place this season after coming fifth in the previous campaign under Carlos Corberan.

O’Neil is currently out of work, having previously been in charge of Wolves until he was sacked in December amid a difficult first half of the campaign.

Gary O’Neil to West Brom claim

Jacobson has claimed that O’Neil would be a strong appointment by West Brom if he was chosen as Mowbray’s successor.

The ex-Wycombe Wanderers defender turned EFL pundit expects the 41-year-old to bring a freshness to the role that’s sorely needed in order to get more from this squad.

“Gary O’Neil has done a very, very good job, especially at Bournemouth,” Jacobson exclusively told Football League World.

“I thought he was excellent there and unlucky to lose his job.

“At Wolves, it was tough but I think he is a very, very good manager and that’s exactly what West Brom need right now, a freshness, someone with some fresh ideas, someone who’s obviously very motivated and wants to prove himself again.

“And West Brom have just been in this limbo land the last couple of seasons where they’ve spent a lot of money on players but not necessarily on bringing a lot of youth through, but just getting some good Championship players in the squad but not really having a team around them.

“So, I think Gary O’Neil would bring about that freshness and energy, so I think he’ll be a good appointment for them.”

West Brom are currently 10th in the Championship table, six points adrift of the play-offs with only two games remaining.

O’Neil would be a solid appointment for West Brom

O’Neil has proven himself at a Premier League level at both Bournemouth and Wolves, successfully steering them to mid-table finishes as manager.

If he is willing to take the step down to the Championship, then that could be a solid appointment by the Baggies.

He knows how to get the most out of players, and can instill the qualities needed to play in the Premier League having coached in the division in the last three seasons.

It would be a positive sign of West Brom’s long-term ambitions if they were able to convince O’Neil to take on a Championship position.