Patrick Kluivert installed as bookies' favourite for West Brom job following Giuliano Terraneo appointment
Dutch legend Patrick Kluivert has become the shock bookies’ favourite to take over at Albion following the appointment of new technical consultant Giuliano Terraneo.
Kluivert – who won the Champions League in a playing career that took in Barcelona, Ajax and AC Milan, among others – rocketed to the top of the odds yesterday despite his only senior managing experience being in charge of Caribbean side Curacao.
Albion are heading towards a summer of major change and chief executive Mark Jenkins has backed Terraneo to bring ‘fresh eyes and vision’ to The Hawthorns.
Terraneo has arrived at The Hawthorns with an impressive pedigree, having headed up recruitment for a number of Europe’s top clubs including Italian giants Lazio and Inter Milan, where he signed some of the game’s biggest names including Brazilian striker Ronaldo. But the 64-year-old Italian is now tasked with helping get the Baggies back on track, as they prepare for relegation from the Premier League and life in the Championship.
Terraneo, who has replaced the axed Nick Hammond for an initial six-month period, has been scouted by the club’s ownership group and will assist in both the pursuit of a new head coach and player recruitment. His appointment was agreed following meetings between Jenkins and club director Li Piuye earlier this week, where it was also agreed to dispense with Hammond’s services after two years at The Hawthorns.
Jenkins, who is carrying out a root-and-branch review of the club, said: “I want to assure our supporters that we’re leaving no stone unturned in our efforts to ensure we recover from this very disappointing campaign.
“We need to change the culture and the direction of the club and we need to do it in a way which is sustainable for the long term. We welcome Giuliano, who will bring fresh eyes and vision to the task of squad development and future recruitment.
“From my discussions with the owners already, I know there is a genuine desire to build a team with greater goal power and attacking threat which can capture fans’ imagination.”
Terraneo, whose most recent role was sporting director at Turkish giants Fenerbache, will also help the Baggies recruit Hammond’s permanent successor, with the club hopeful of having an appointment in place by September.
His arrival is evidence of the club’s commitment to the sporting director model, despite mixed results since the departure of Dan Ashworth to the FA in 2012.
