West Brom ready to offer Alex Neil the managerial reins at the Hawthorns

Alex Neil - West Brom ready to offer Alex Neil the managerial reins at the Hawthorns
Alex Neil, the Preston North End manager, is expected to be offered the West Brom job Credit: PA

West Bromwich Albion are poised to offer Alex Neil the chance to take them back to the Premier League.

Albion are preparing an official approach for Neil, the Preston North End manager, after Saturday’s Championship game between the two clubs at the Hawthorns.

Neil has emerged as West Brom’s leading target after two successive defeats under caretaker manager James Shan, with the club prepared to pay Preston around £650,000 in compensation to land the Scot.

Albion placed him on their shortlist alongside Slavisa Jokanovic after dismissing Darren Moore, as revealed by Telegraph Sport on March 10, but are expecting Preston to put up a fight.

The 37-year-old already has a promotion on his CV after guiding Norwich to the top-flight in 2015, while he has put Preston in play-off contention for two seasons running.

Preston’s defeat to Leeds on Tuesday leaves their own hopes of a top-six finish appearing remote so West Brom are preparing to make their move after Saturday's game. Shan will take charge of his sixth West Brom game this weekend.

Shan initially steadied the ship with three successive wins after Moore’s departure but defeats to Millwall and Bristol City have convinced West Brom’s board that an experienced manager is required at this crucial stage of the season.

The club are fourth in the table but hopes of automatic promotion now look forlorn with five games left in the campaign.

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