Neil Lennon not in the running for West Brom hotseat as search continues
Albion today ruled Neil Lennon out of the race to be their new boss after his Celtic exit sparked rumours of a move to The Hawthorns.
The Baggies are drawing up a seven-man shortlist of candidates to succeed Pepe Mel ahead of interviews in the next 10 days.
But the list will not include Lennon, whose odds of taking over at The Hawthorns were slashed by bookmakers yesterday after he quit his job following four years in charge at Parkhead.
The Baggies have opted not to pursue the 42-year-old, who was quoted at as short as 3/1 with some bookies last night.
Lennon is keen on a move to England but another potential avenue closed last night when Norwich handed the permanent managerial job to Neil Adams.
Keith Downing remains the popular choice for the Hawthorns hot seat among staff within the Baggies' training ground.
The new boss will take his side to Shrewsbury, Cheltenham, Nottingham Forest and Port Vale as part of their preparations for next season. The Baggies have confirmed most of their domestic pre-season schedule.
They start with a behind-closed-doors friendly against Bury at Albion's Great Barr training base, on July 12 (noon), then the squad will split in two for away games against Cheltenham and Shrewsbury on July 15 (both 7.45pm).
Two games on an overseas training camp follow, details of which are still to be confirmed.
They will visit Forest on August 2 (kick-off to be confirmed) before taking on Port Vale at Vale Park on August 5 (7.45pm), with a final friendly on August 16 (details to be confirmed).
