West Bromwich Albion fans will no doubt still be missing the presence of the passionate Carlos Corberan on the sidelines at the Hawthorns.
After all, when the much-loved Spaniard departed the club for Valencia in late December, the Baggies had only lost three league clashes and were just outside the playoff picture in seventh spot.
Fast forward to the end of the season, however, and West Brom ended up finishing in a lower ninth position, with the experiment of bringing back Tony Mowbray not working whatsoever.
Therefore, it’s crucial that the bruised Baggies get this next managerial appointment spot on, with an ever-growing list of intriguing names being rumoured to step in and replace Mowbray.
West Brom could now appoint Corberan 2.0
In an ideal world, West Brom will be able to unearth their next iteration of Corberan with whoever takes on the ongoing vacancy.
There is a shout to say Ryan Mason could be Corberan 2.0, considering he’s been a background figure at Tottenham Hotspur for most of his coaching career to date – much like the Spaniard was at Leeds United – before exploding into life as the main presence in the dug-out.
But, the Championship outfit could look to a more left-field shout than Mason in ex-Manchester United coach Eric Ramsay, with new reports suggesting the 33-year-old is now one of the frontrunners over the much-talked-about Spurs man.
Much like Mason, Ramsay arriving on the scene at the Hawthorns could have the same impact Corberan once had on proceedings, with an argument to be had that the former Wales assistant manager has more in his arsenal than his Tottenham counterpart in the main manager game with Minnesota United.
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Why Ramsay could be Corberan 2.0
Whilst his name is more recognisable for being a second-in-command figure to Erik ten Hag and Rob Page for Manchester United and Wales, Ramsay is beginning to forge an impressive name for himself in the MLS with Minnesota.
Amazingly, his blistering Minnesota side downed a Lionel Messi-led Inter Miami 4-1 last time out in MLS action, with that comprehensive victory taking him all the way up an impressive 23 wins in total from 49 games in charge.
Wins
23
16
Draws
10
7
Defeats
16
26
Corberan will be able to resonate with Ramsay’s unorthodox start to management out in America, with the now Valencia boss having to start his own journey in the lower leagues of Cyprus and he would initially struggle, before his first EFL opportunity as a main manager would come about with Huddersfield Town.
Amazingly, Ramsay can boast seven more victories from his first 49 games in charge of Minnesota than Corberan was able to pick during his first 49 games as a head coach, but the Spaniard would go on to grow and improve past this point to turn both the Terriers and the Baggies into Championship playoff candidates.
Moreover, the former Man United coach’s growing experience of the game he’s managed to achieve from the dug-out in the MLS makes him a far more capable option than the alternative face of Mason, with the promising coach picking up just six career wins when handed the temporary Spurs reins.
Once hailed as “one of the best young coaches in football” by Page when appointed Wales assistant manager, the proof could soon be in the pudding if he can transform West Brom’s fortunes on his potential return to England.
If it does work out, it would be another worthwhile gamble taken by the powers that be at the Hawthorns, with Corberan once just a plucky coach trying to cut his teeth in the men’s game like Ramsay, before very nearly turning West Brom back into a Premier League side.
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