Next West Brom Manager: Who Replaces Tony Mowbray?

Gary O'Neil is the early favourite for the West Brom manager vacancy and you can see why the Baggies are keen on bringing him to the Hawthorns.

The ex-midfielder has a strong knowledge of the Championship from his playing days and has shown real potential as a coach in the Premier League with two different clubs in Bournemouth and Wolves.

Those green shoots in what is a young managerial career makes O'Neil a candidate that could grow alongside the clubs ambitions. 

O'Neil as an individual might be tempted by the role too. Given his ending at Wolves, a Premier League job isn't likely to be forthcoming despite his overall body of work not being half bad.

That then puts the top end of the Championship as the next best thing and West Brom certainly have the ambition to be in that mix year after year. 

With the club's profile and direction of travel unlikely to be beneath O'Neil there is already likely to be an interest in at least the parties listening to one another and, based on O'Neil having only left Wolves a matter of months ago, he knows the broader area well too. 

Steve Cooper is a man you could imagine on the Hawthorns touchline. From a style of play perspective, he likes to get the ball down and control possession but isn't afraid for his sides to go more direct when the opportunity presents and that rounded approach is something the Baggies fans could probably get on board with having seen all sorts over the relatively recent history of managers. 

Beyond that, Cooper has a very good record where the Championship is concerned. He's managed three seasons in the second tier, secured three top six finishes and guided one side to glory via that route in Nottingham Forest. He then took a further step by keeping them up, something six clubs have tried and failed to do over the last two seasons. 

With his blossoming reputation at the top table damaged by an ill-fated Leicester spell, Cooper might need to take on step back to go forwards again and West Brom might be a decent club with which to do it at.

It is really easy to make a case for Liam Rosenior making it as a top Championship coach with his ceiling quite possibly beyond that level too, which is why his name is frequented by so many clubs at the sharp end of the Championship. 

He did a pretty decent job at Hull as they narrowly missed out on a top six finish, during which time he showed a good eye for bringing and coaching in talented young players whilst the style of play was also something many enjoyed.

Since suffering what was a fairly bonkers sacking, Rosenior has joined Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg; that might prove to be West Brom's issue if they really want Rosenior. 

Strasbourg are in contention for a Champions League place next season owing to strong league form. If they secure that, it's almost impossible to see Rosenior bailing for a Championship job. 

Raphael Wicky might not be listed in the currently available odds but he could be a really strong value shout given the price bookies are likely to offer on his appointment.

It is widely understood that Wicky, who has previously managed in the Swiss Super League and MLS, was close to becoming West Brom manager in January but the appointment fell through over discussions about backroom staff.

With the timing now very different as we approach the end of the season rather than being in the midst of it, could those issues be ironed out or has the ship fully sailed on Wicky to West Brom?