Chris Hughton the bookies favourite for West Brom job
Chris Hughton was today swiftly named as the bookies' favourite to replace Pepe Mel and be Albion's next head coach.
The 55-year-old former Newcastle and Birmingham boss is rated 4-1 favourite by online bookmakers bet365.com to take over from Mel ahead of former Cardiff chief Malky Mackay (9-2), current Tottenham head coach Tim Sherwood (5-1) and Aberdeen's ex-Albion captain Derek McInnes (8-1).
Mel left The Hawthorns by mutual consent this afternoon winning just three of his 17 games in charge following Steve Clarke's departure in January, losing eight.
The Spaniard's record was enough to keep Albion in the Premier League as they avoided the drop by three points.
But it wasn't enough to convince the board that he was the correct long-term appointment.
And ex-Tottenham defender Hughton, who was sacked by Norwich after a 1-0 defeat to the Baggies at Carrow Road last month, is now the leading candidate to replace Mel.
Hughton was in the running to be Albion head coach in June 2012 but agreeing compensation with Birmingham proved a stumbling block.
Who will replace Pepe Mel?
Odds via bet365.com: Chris Hughton 4-1, Malky Mackay 9/2, Tim Sherwood 5/1, Derek McInnes 8/1, Mike Phelan 10/1, Michael Laudrup 12/1, Gianfranco Zola 12/1, Dave Jones 16/1, Keith Downing 16/1, Sean Dyche 16/1, David Moyes 16/1 Alan Curbishley 20/1, Uwe Rosler 20/1, Sam Allardyce 20/1, Neil Warnock 20/1 Steve Round 25/1.
