West Bromwich Albion will not be appointing Raphael Wicky as their next manager, according to John Percy.
The Telegraph journalist wrote on X that the Baggies have ended talks with the Swiss manager, and they will now look for options elsewhere.
West Brom are without a manager after Carlos Corberan left the club to join La Liga outfit Valencia last month.
Percy previously claimed the Baggies are in advanced talks with Wicky as their next manager. The former Young Boys and Basel manager emerged as their prime target after he held talks with the Baggies officials in London.
Wicky is a free agent after leaving Young Boys in March last year. The 47-year-old boss was keen to take charge of the Championship club, and it was thought that the appointment was very close.
However, West Brom are no longer in discussion with Wicky after he was unable to assemble his preferred backroom staff. The Baggies will look at options elsewhere.
#wba have ended talks with Raphaël Wicky, who will not become the club’s new head coach. No longer in discussions after Wicky was unable to assemble his preferred backroom staff. Talks will now resume with other candidates https://t.co/XkubFGQkXw
— John Percy (@JPercyTelegraph) January 13, 2025
Meanwhile, The Sun journalist Alan Nixon claimed on 12 January that Tony Mowbray is emerging an option for the Baggies.
He claimed that Mowbray, who is taking a break from football after leaving Birmingham City last season due to health reasons, has met with Albion officials and is ready to take charge at the Hawthorns, if health issues are cleared.
The 61-year-old previously managed West Brom and won promotion with them to the Premier League in 2008.
However, Birmingham Mail have quashed the report, adding that Mowbray is not under consideration for the Albion managerial post.
West Brom’s sporting director, Andrew Nestor, is reportedly leading the recruitment process, and he heavily relies on data and analytics. So, Mowbray, who is a more old-school type of manager, should not come into contention.
Wicky is renowned as a coach who can work in a modern football club structure, but West Brom will have to look at other options. They have to get the appointment right, as the club have genuine chance of making it to the play-offs this season.
