West Brom close in on new manager after holding talks with ex-Manchester United assistant

West Brom are close to appointing Raphael Wicky as their new boss, talkSPORT understands.

The Swiss coach is set to be the successor to Carlos Corberan, who left the Baggies for LaLiga side Valencia over the Christmas period.

Wicky has previously managed Basel, the United States national team U17 side and Chicago Fire.

He was most recently at Young Boys where he won the Swiss Super League and Swiss Cup in 2023 before leaving in March.

West Brom also spoke with ex-Manchester United assistant Rene Hake during their search for a new manager.

Hake joined United as an assistant to Erik ten Hag in July but left the club when interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy departed in November.

Tony Mowbray was another candidate who the club have spoken to following his previous tenure at the Hawthorns from 2006 to 2009.

He won the Championship title and reached the FA Cup semi-finals with the Baggies in the 2007/08 season.

Corberan had a contract at West Brom until 2027 but Valencia paid his reported release clause of between £3-4million.

The Spaniard is a former youth player of the LaLiga club, who have endured a difficult season as they sit 19th in the table with two wins.

Chris Brunt, Damia Abella and Boaz Myhill have overseen first-team duties at West Brom since Corberan left.

Brunt looks set to remain as their interim head coach this weekend in their FA Cup third round clash against Bournemouth.

West Brom are sixth in the Championship but 12 points outside of the top two, who are Leeds United and Burnley.

They are therefore in contention for promotion this season and have lost just four of their 26 matches so far, though have drawn 13.

Promotion to the Premier League via a top two finish or play-offs would see them return to the top flight for the first time since 2021.

West Brom came close to doing so last season by were beaten 3-1 on aggregate by Southampton in the play-off semi-finals.