Irvine the favourite for Albion job
Alan Irvine has emerged as favourite for the Albion manager's job – despite vehement denials from his club Preston.
The Deepdale boss has leapt to the top of the pile and, such is the mounting speculation, some bookies have stopped taking bets on Irvine getting the post.
Irvine is due back from a holiday in Spain this weekend, but it is believed contact has already been made about the vacancy.
The 50-year-old former Everton assistant boss, who signed a three and a half year deal in November 2007, is now the favourite with costly compensation thought to have ruled out Peterborough chief Darren Ferguson.
But heavy denials remain at Preston, where chairman Derek Shaw went on the record to issue a 'hands off' warning.
He said: "I want to assure supporters that, as I give this interview, first thing on Friday morning, we have not had any contact from West Bromwich Albion over the services of Alan Irvine and we do not want any.
" If any calls come in then the decision would be down to the manager himself, if the terms of his contract were met, but this is something we would vehemently oppose."
Shaw insisted it was business as usual at Preston.
He said: "I have spoken to Alan nearly every day this week and preparations continue for pre-season, as well as continuing to make enquiries about players as normal.
"The last thing in the world Preston need at this time is to be searching for a new manager, it would be a disaster for us.
"Alan has progressed the club over the past 18 months and we want that progression to continue."
Irvine led Preston to survival in his first season in charge as they finished 15th.
This season they lost to Sheffield United in the play-offs.
Doncaster's Wolverhampton-born Sean O'Driscoll, former Baggies youth coach Aidy Boothroyd and Alan Curbishley have also been touted as candidates.
But former Albion captain Derek McInnes ended speculation linking him with the job, by pledging his future to St Johnstone.
He said: "It's flattering to be linked with jobs, but I see my immediate future here with St Johnstone.
"I'm grateful to the chairman Geoff Brown for giving me the opportunity."
