Next West Brom Manager: A case for laying Sherwood

Tim Sherwood seems like an awkward fit for the West Brom post

Tim Sherwood is the odds-on favourite for the West Brom, but there may still be value in laying him...

West Brom's summer manager hunt is adopting an eerily similar pattern to their disjointed winter search, with an early favourite being kept waiting for weeks to lend the impression that they are out of the running, only to suddenly resurface as market leader.

Pepe Mel was the protagonist last time out - available at 9.4 on the day that his appointment was confirmed, much to the delight of this writer - and Tim Sherwood is on this occasion.

The former Tottenham boss ducked below 5.0 early in the recruitment process, then drifted as far out as 19.0, before resurfacing in the past 24 hours as a 1.261/4 frontrunner.

The Birmingham Mail go as far as to suggest that his arrival will be announced by the close of Thursday June 12, though they concede that he hasn't actually been offered the job yet, instead claiming that the interview process concluded with him rated the most impressive candidate.

That distinction hints at enough uncertainty to indicate that a small-stakes lay is still a worthwhile manoeuvre at 1.3130/100.

One concern that could trigger a late U-turn is Sherwood's inexperience, having spent just five months in the dugout. The last two relative rookies that they hired - Roberto Di Matteo and Steve Clarke - both wound up getting the heave-ho, as did the Premier League-green Mel.

By contrast, their most successful appointment of the last decade was the best-travelled tactician that they turned to, Roy Hodgson.

Another worry is his outspokenness, especially as the Baggies go for "head coaches" rather than "managers", and seemingly prefer them to be seen and not heard, judging by the haste with which Clarke's future went south after he questioned transfer strategy.

Finally, he has never actually achieved anything of substance - unless he has created a trophy to commemorate boasting (literally) the finest win percentage in Tottenham's Premier League existence - and is unlikely to be a hugely popular pick with West Brom supporters.

Recommended Bet: Lay Sherwood to be next West Brom manager @ 1.3130/100