Marco Silva favourite to coach West Brom after Pardew sacking

RESPECTED coaching personality Marco Silva has been installed as a +250 favourite to replace Alan Pardew as manager at West Bromwich Albion.

The English Premier League club pulled the the pin on Pardew’s short tenure on Easter Monday, only months after his appointment in November 2017.

Albion have taken full points just once in their last 30 games and are now on the brink of relegation after nine consecutive defeats in all competitions.

Assistant manager John Carver, who was filmed exchanging words with a Baggies supporter on Saturday during their 2-1 loss to Burnley, has also been removed from his position.

Online bookmaker William Hill has wasted little time installing Silva as the leading contender to take over the reins, with Michael O’Neill the +275 second favourite and Michael Appleton slated at +500.
 
“Pardew was a disastrous appointment which has left the Baggies teetering on the brink of the Championship and the likelihood is that whoever takes over will have to manage them outside the Premier League,” said William Hill spokesman Joe Crilly.

“That said, the club will still be an attractive proposition for any out of work manager and will no doubt attract a number of high profile applicants.”

Silva has a long coaching record despite not reaching great heights as a player in Portugal. He started out in 2011 at Estoril as director of coaching, but took over the main role almost immediately.

Since then Silva has enjoyed stints at Sporting, Olympiacos, and EPL clubs Hull City and Watford. His tenure at Watford finished on January 21 because of his interest at the time in Everton’s management role and a string of poor results.

Despite this, Silva has a strong reputation for player development and the West Brom job, which is likely to see them starting out next season in the Championships, appears a good fit.

First-team coach Darren Moore has been placed in charge of first team affairs until further notice.

Odds for next WBA manager

+250 Marco Silva
+275 Michael O’Neill
+500 Michael Appleton
+700 Harry Redknapp
+900 Gary Megson
+1000 Darren Moore
+1000 Slaven Bilic
+1400 Craig Shakespeare
+1400 Nigel Pearson
+1400 Slavisa Jokanovic
+1600 Chris Wilder
+1600 Martin O’Neill

* More odds at WilliamHill.com.