Sheffield United's Championship rivals West Brom suffer fresh twist in manager search as David Wagner heads to Switzerland

West Brom’s search for a new manager has hit another buffer after the man they appeared to have chosen to take over earlier this week, took up a post elsewhere.
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David Wagner was expected to take over from Sam Allardyce at Sheffield United’s Championship rivals in a return to English football following his previous successful spell at Huddersfield Town.

At the time it was understood that the board at West Brom at unanimously chosen ex-Blades boss Chris Wilder to pick up the reins, following a round of talks where Lincoln City’s Michael Appleton was also said to have been in the frame.

Chris Wilder, the former Sheffield United manager had been in the running for the West Brom job: Andrew Yates/SportimageChris Wilder, the former Sheffield United manager had been in the running for the West Brom job: Andrew Yates/Sportimage
Chris Wilder, the former Sheffield United manager had been in the running for the West Brom job: Andrew Yates/Sportimage
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However, it was reported that the hierarchy at the Hawthorns had vetoed that decision to appoint Wilder, with the former United manager’s strained relationship with his old owlner at Bramall Lane the apparent reasoning given for the climbdown.

Now the Baggies are back to square one with Wagner, the next man on the list looking set to take up a post at Young Boys in Switzerland. The Express and Star report that Wagner wanted to be closer to his family who are based in Germany.

Appleton has not reportedly come back into the reckoning, as well as another former WBA player, ex-Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes.

While still early days, the whole affair will cause frustration at West Brom, with Allardyce signaling at the end of last season that he was leaving and the hope for them was that a quick appointment would be made.