West Bromwich Albion are deep in talks with Tim Sherwood over becoming the club’s new manager but he is not the only candidate, Press Association Sport understands.
West Brom were hoping to have Pepe Mel’s replacement in position by Friday but the situation has proved less straightforward than anticipated and will now continue into the weekend.
Ex-Tottenham coach Sherwood, sacked at the end of the season as Spurs moved for Mauricio Pochettino, is understood to be the leading candidate but at least one other applicant remains in the picture.
Reports out of the midlands suggested that Sherwood had agreed personal terms but was holding up the deal over those offered to his preferred assistants Les Ferdinand and Chris Ramsey.
West Brom would not confirm any details of the process but remain hopeful of naming their man in a matter of days.
West Brom are eager for a period of stability after parting ways with two head coaches last season, first Steve Clarke and then Mel, who was just four months into an 18-month deal.
When Mel left the club shortly after Premier League survival was assured in May, sporting and technical director Richard Garlick insisted the Spaniard’s replacement would be expected to work with “the structure we have had in place for six years and are presently strengthening”.
In practice that will likely mean retaining the long-serving Keith Downing as assistant and Dean Kiely as goalkeeping coach.
But Sherwood’s apparent insistence on having Ferdinand and Ramsey at his side should not pose too much trouble in itself, with Mel’s compatriot David Gomez also departing this summer and Under-21 coach David Oldfield leaving for MK Dons on Thursday.
Real Madrid assistant Paul Clement, brother of former Albion defender Neil, has also been strongly linked with the vacancy, while Chris Hughton and Malky Mackay are former Premier League managers currently out of work.
Follow us on Twitter @SprtNationalUAE