Ex-Mourinho assistant could succeed Hodgson at West Brom
Published:After appearing a certainty to land the West Bromwich Albion job, Ralf Rangnick’s linking with the Belgium national job has seen him weaken in the market, though he remains odds-on at 10/11.
Amongst leading contenders for the position though, is Steve Clarke, relieved of his Liverpool duties as Brendan Rodgers takes his backroom staff from Swansea with him to Anfield.
Clarke operated as Kenny Dalglish’s assistant manager last season, and has drawn mass acclaim in that role previously, particularly when working under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea.
The Scotsman has never been appointed as a full-time manager, but at 3/1, it seems as though he may have his best chance yet of landing a top job at the Hawthorns.
It was initially believed that former Schalke coach Rangnick had the position sewn up, after encouraging signs emanated from several meetings with Baggies chairman Jeremy Peace.
However, widespread European reports are now suggesting that Rangnick is the Belgian FA’s chief target to take charge of the national side, and relinquish caretaker boss Marc Wilmots of his duties.
Amidst news of this has come a plummet in Clarke’s price for the West Brom role, and the ex-Newcastle, Chelsea, West Ham and Liverpool coach could prove a beneficiary of circumstance.
He has long been linked with vacancies at clubs at Championship level, though Clarke’s reputation as a coach is of such standing that he seems destined to eventually take charge of a Premier League club.
His credentials come in the form of two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and three League Cup successes during his stints as a right-hand man at the top level, and at just 48, he has worked under some of the world’s finest managers already.
Currently out of work, Clarke would undoubtedly take a serious interest in managing the Baggies, and if Ralf Rangnick is to take charge of Belgium, Clarke’s odds are sure to descend below 3/1 in no time at all.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
