West Brom next manager twist as club receives Mark Robins response
Liverpool coach John Heitinga is now the bookies’ favourite to replace Carlos Corberan
West Brom supporters have been debating the early favourites to be the club’s next boss, following Carlos Corberan’s exit.
Corberan has departed The Hawthorns to join La Liga club Valencia as their new head coach on a deal until June 2027. The Baggies confirmed the deal after compensation, reported to be in the region of 3million euros (£2.49m), was agreed on Christmas Eve. Valencia formally announced their new man in the early hours of Christmas Day.
A statement from Valencia’s official website read: “Carlos Corberan has been appointed as coach of Valencia CF, signing a contract through to 2027.
“A buy-out option in his contract with West Bromwich Albion was taken up to allow him to leave.”
Posting on social media platform X, Corberan said: “I cannot begin to explain how I feel about West Bromwich Albion, its fans and everyone associated with the club.
“In my more than two years here I have only felt LOVE from this community and the decision to leave has been the hardest of my life.
There will ALWAYS be a place in my heart for this special club and I hope one day I can return to thank you all for your incredible support.”
West Brom chairman Shilen Patel wrote on X: “I want to thank Carlos for all of his hard work since his arrival at the Albion at one of the most challenging times in the club’s modern era.
“I am grateful for his contributions and wish Carlos and his family all the best on his new journey!”
Chris Brunt, Damia Abella and Boaz Myhill will oversee first-team duties until further notice, the club confirmed. Sporting director Andrew Nestor is leading Albion’s search for a new head coach and posting on X, he said: “The process to identify and appoint a successor is already underway and we have every faith in the team, led by Chris Brunt and Damià Abella, to continue our work on the pitch during this interim period.”
Mark Robins, who was sacked by Coventry City last month, was the early bookies’ favourite to succeed Corberan, followed by three managers who have all been axed by Premier League clubs this season, in Steve Cooper, Gary O’Neil and Russell Martin. But, in a fresh twist, John Heitinga, a coach at Liverpool, is now the 5/2 favourite with the bookmakers.
Here’s what fans were saying before Heitinga was installed as favourite:
Tonky: Robins for me, closely followed by Steve Cooper. Let’s just hope whoever it is the process doesn’t take too long, we must maintain our hope in making the play offs.
Mailreader101: Gary O’Neil 8/1, I don’t think so. As I’ve said before, it’s has to be Mark Robbins with a good number 2!
