West Brom have set their sights on Millwall boss Alex Neil as a potential replacement for under-pressure boss Ryan Mason, reports say Alan Nixon.
West Brom’s good start to the season has quickly faded as the Baggies struggle to find consistency. WBA currently sit mid-table and have recorded just one win in their last five league matches.
Ryan Mason’s side went undefeated through their first four games, but their early momentum has since evaporated. With West Brom among the second-lowest scorers in the Championship, the pressure is starting to mount on the head coach.
Despite WBA return to winning ways Mason remains under pressure against Oxford United on Saturday. Now reports are emerging of some managerial targets for the Baggies.
According to Alan Nixon via his PatreonWest Brom have their eyes on Millwall boss Alex Neil to replace Mason. Middlesbrough also have Neil in their sights as they look to replace Rob Edwards, who will join Baggies’ rivals Wolves.
Alex Neil would be an opposite choice to West Brom boss Ryan Mason
Mason’s appointment in the summer brought with it much intrigue. The former Hull City midfielder was highly rated as a coach from his time at Tottenham Hotspur, but that has not yet passed on to the management.
Now their rumored interest in Neil suggests a huge change in WBA’s approach. Neil is a highly experienced boss and has several promotions on his CV, both in the EFL and in Scotland.
During his time in England he tasted play-off success twice. In 2022 he guided Sunderland to promotion from League One, and in 2015 he led Norwich City to the Premier League with a win over Middlesbrough in the final.
Neil also earned his move to Norwich City by securing promotion to the Scottish Premiership at Hamilton Academical. With this being West Brom’s fifth consecutive season in the Championship, his promotional expertise could well be the solution to the Baggies’ woes.
Alex Neil’s stats as Millwall boss
West Brom could be the club Alex Neil needs to return to the top flight
Neil has played one season in the Premier League throughout his career, in the 2015/16 season. After gaining promotion to the top flight, he was given the full season with Norwich City, but they were ultimately relegated to 19th place.
He was then sacked by the Canaries towards the end of the following season. He hasn’t been close to a return to the Premier League since then, but that could change if he moves to WBA.
The Baggies have a strong squad and can charge promotion fees in January with the right signings. West Brom are likely to have more financial resources than Millwall, and they are only four points behind Neil’s current side.
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