West Bromwich Albion’s manager search is still rumbling on, but recent emerging reports seem to suggest they have homed in on one name.
On Saturday, The Athletic reported that the Baggies had finally decided on Carlos Corberan as their new boss, having held two interviews with the Spaniard.
Should West Brom appoint Carlos Corberan?
Keen to avoid a large compensation fee, but also wanting the best coach available, the 39-year-old seems to offer the best of both worlds for the club’s hierarchy.
Already boasting fine pedigree in both the Championship and Europe, the former Huddersfield Town boss would come in with fresh ideas that would surely revitalise a club that has been crippled by the previous regime.
Having only won once in their last 11 Championship games, it will please the inbound gaffer that they seemed to react well to Richard Beale’s attempts at a 3-4-3 system.
It was this formation that saw Corberan lead the Terriers to the playoffs, where they came so close to a return to the Premier League.
One man who benefitted in particular was youngster Taylor Gardner-Hickman, who boasted a goal and an assist as they cruised past an impressive Reading side.
Finally free from the shackles of Steve Bruce, who preferred to employ the 20-year-old in defence, he thrived in central midfield.
He clearly has bundles of creativity and an eye for goal, so a run in that position under a new, forward-thinking manager might see him truly unlocked at the Hawthorns.
The academy graduate had previously been labelled “menacing” by journalist Alex Dickens, and now that he is set to be truly unleashed, it poses a frightening prospect for the rest of the league.
Speaking to The Guardian, Corberan noted how he enjoys players pushing the team forward with the ball at their feet. He said: “Driving one more yard can be the difference between allowing the opponent to counterattack, because you lose the ball, or getting past a defender and passing to a teammate to score.”
Playing the extra pass or driving with the ball are both qualities that Gardner-Hickman possesses.
Under the potential new Baggies boss, we could see a sensational transformation for their young starlet.
