Baggies begin search for new boss

West Brom today began drawing up their shortlist of candidates to become their new manager.

Gary Megson was relieved of his duties yesterday after telling chairman Jeremy Peace he would not sign a new short-term contract when his current deal ran out at the end of the season.

Micky Adams, Gordon Strachan, John Gregory, Gerrard Houllier and Sir Bobby Robson have already been linked with the post but it is understood no approach has been made to former England and Newcastle boss Robson – a former Albion player – as yet.

Former Leicester manager Adams refused to comment today when asked about the possibility of him taking over in the hotseat at The Hawthorns but it is known he would welcome the chance to step back into management with the Baggies after parting company with Leicester three weeks ago.

However, there has also been no approach to him from the club.

Adams’ enthusiasm for the game has not dimmed after a difficult two years in charge at Leicester when the club went into administration and were embroiled in the La Manga affair.

He admitted last season that “perhaps I will always be regarded as a fire-fighter manager” and such an ingredient would be invaluable in trying to revive the fortunes of West Brom.

Saturday’s inept 3-0 defeat at Crystal Palace, after Megson had admitted the players had not trained properly in the build-up to the game, has left them hovering above the relegation zone.

Adams, like Megson, is very much a training-ground manager who enjoys the banter and rapport of being involved with players but can also be a strict disciplinarian and adopt a non-nonsense approach when such a stance is demanded.

Megson’s number two Frank Burrows will be in charge of team affairs for Saturday’s daunting home clash with Chelsea but Peace is keen to appoint an able successor to Megson as quickly as possible.