Ralf Rangnick leads race for West Brom hot-seat

[Leefro]

Ralf Rangnick was today in pole position in the race to manage Albion following a fast-moving day of drama at The Hawthorns.

The 53-year-old German has emerged as the leading contender to replace Roy Hodgson after a whirlwind 24 hours that saw Claudio Ranieri seal his move to Monaco and the Baggies make fresh contact with Rangnick.

Albion’s interest in former front-runner Chris Hughton is understood to have cooled following informal talks with Birmingham, although the former Newcastle boss is still thought to be in the frame.

Reports from Germany late last night that Rangnick was considering a “concrete offer” from the Baggies were premature.

However, detailed talks have now taken place with the former Stuttgart, Hannover, Schalke and Hoffenheim coach, who was first revealed as a candidate by the Express & Star a week ago.

It emerged today that Rangnick watched The Baggies’ final match of the season at home to Arsenal as a guest of the club and he appears to be the front-runner with his price slashed by major bookmakers, who now make him odds-on favourite.

Rangnick has a solid CV in his homeland but has been out of work since ending his second spell at Schalke last September, citing exhaustion.

The Baggies have still not made a formal approach to Blues for permission to speak to Hughton, but they have sounded out the 53-year-old’s representatives in recent weeks and are thought to have taken soundings from St Andrew’s.

And, although Hughton remains highly-rated at The Hawthorns, the prospect of a lengthy stand-off with Blues over compensation appears to have created misgivings in the boardroom, where Rangnick’s name was already being discussed.

Hughton’s one-year rolling contract on wages of less than £1m-per-year would not present a major compensation problem for Albion.

But with Blues almost certain to reject a formal approach he could be left needing to resign to force through a move.

Ranieri, who was interviewed twice by Albion, is expected to be confirmed as Monaco’s new boss.

[Arkady Renko]

He'd be a good choice for sure. everywhere he went so far, he was successful, at least within the means of his clubs. And he has indeed said on several occasions that he'd like to work in england for a while and that he's a huge fan of british football in general. I'm just not sure WBA would suit his ambitions. Do they have a realistic shot at a european berth next season?

[Leefro]

Hhahahahhahaha

No!!