Roy Hodgson's the top target for West Bromwich Albion

07 February 2011 10:25
  Roy Hodgson will be offered a quick return to football with West Bromwich Albion as they draw up a short-list to replace Roberto Di Matteo. [LNB]Former Liverpool and Fulham manager Hodgson is seen as the man to steady the ship after the Italian was ruthlessly axed following Saturday's 3-0 thumping at Manchester City. [LNB]Michael Appleton has been placed intemporary charge and will undertake preliminary preparations ahead ofSaturday's relegation tussle against West Ham.[LNB] Ousted: Di Matteo had been underthreat for weeks[LNB] If Hodgson doesn't want the job, former Newcastle manager Chris Hughton will be in the frame, along with former Hawthorns favourite Derek McInnes, now in charge of St Johnstone. [LNB]It is a difficult task, but by no means impossible. After taking 15 points from their first nine fixtures, West Bromwich have picked up only 11 more from their last 17, with Saturday's Carlos Tevez-inspired defeat proving the final straw for chairman Jeremy Peace. [LNB]The sacking was a calculated move with two home fixtures against relegation rivals in the next fortnight. West Brom follow their game against the Hammers with the visit of Wolves on February 20.[LNB] Three and easy: Tevez scored a hat-trick in Di Matteo's last game for West Brom [LNB] [LNB]Di Matteo, 40, was placed on 'gardening leave' on Sunday, suggesting there are contractual issues to sort out. But he may leave wondering exactly what he was expected to achieve with one of the smallest playing budgets in the Barclays Premier League and with a newly-promoted side. [LNB]The writing was on the wall before the game against Blackpool three weeks ago. According to sources close to Di Matteo, he and Peace had already locked horns over another contractual issue. And when the chairman had a three-hour meeting with two club director s the day before Blackpool's visit, word spread that all was not well. [LNB]Is this the way to the Hawthorns? Hodgson is the early favourite to replace Di Matteo[LNB]A 3-2 victory over Ian Holloway's side afforded the manager a reprieve. But Peace felt that fresh impetus could lift the club ahead of two fixtures that will have a major bearing on West Bromwich's survival battle and decided to part company with the affable Di Matteo, who joined the club in the summer of 2009 after guiding MK Dons to the League One play-offs.[LNB] Peace said: 'This club's track record proves we do not take such decisions lightly, with Roberto being only our fourth manager or head coach in almost 11 years. Our poor sequence stretches back more than three months and there has been little sign of it coming to an end. That is why we felt compelled to act now.' [LNB]League Managers' Association chief executive Richard Bevan countered: 'Roberto represents yet another victim of the hire and fire mentality that pervades our game. The club have big matches ahead, against Wolves and West Ham and you have to question the decision to sack the manager. It is exactly in situations like those that we all want to see clubs back the individuals they have employed rather than see the sack as a panacea.[LNB] 'In West Brom's case, that means showing support and loyalty to the manager who brought the club automatic promotion back to the Premier League last season at the first time of asking - someone who was the manager of the month only four months ago.' [LNB]West Bromwich, however, were concerned with Di Matteo' s management style. There were questions about his commitment regarding the homework he carried out on opponents and prospective targets alike. [LNB]However, he went by the title of head coach and recruitment fell under the umbrella of the director of football, Dan Ashworth. But following Hughton's sacking, coincidentally after a game at The Hawthorns, when Newcastle were 10th in the Premier League, it appears no manager is safe. [LNB]  Disappointed Di Matteo hits out at West Brom over 'surprise' sacking Di Matteo sacked as West Bromwich manager after miserable run of one win in 10 gamesManchester City 3 West Brom 0: Tevez puts Baggies in a spot of botherWest Bromwich Albion news from across the web [LNB]  Explore more:People: Chris Hughton, Ian Holloway, Jeremy Peace, Roberto Di Matteo, Roy Hodgson Places: Newcastle, Fulham, Liverpool

Source: Daily_Mail