Next West Brom boss: Ally Robertson wants Baggies to pick experience

Robertson believes Chris Hughton would be the perfect candidate for Albion next season, but would also back the decision to give overriding favourite Slaven Bilic the job.

However, he is wary of handing the reins to a young up-and-coming manager from the divisions below, such as Lee Bowyer, who has also been considered this week.

“I want somebody that’s been there and done it,” said Robertson. “Someone with a bit of experience. That’s what I would go for. We have to rebuild a squad, that is the biggest part of the job.

“That’s why hopefully we get in an experienced manager that knows how to do that, although of course he’ll need to club to back him

“Someone with a few years under their belt would know people in the right areas to get players in on loan.

“Chris Hughton has been there and done it all, he knows what’s needed for this division.

“For me, he would be brilliant. He would be the best manager we could get. He would be the one I would get in.”

Bilic is the current front-runner for the job after speaking to the board earlier this week but it’s believed Hughton and Bowyer are also in contention.

Quique Sanchez Flores, who worked with technical director Luke Dowling at Watford, has also been considered.

But Robertson is keen on Hughton and Bilic because of their experience.

“Those two would be great for us,” he said. “I would rather have them than someone from the third and fourth division that’s coming up.

"We need to appoint someone capable of completing a rebuild, and whoever it is, we’ve got to back 100 per cent.

“At the end of the day it’s got to be what Albion are willing to pay for.”

Hughton has won promotion out of the Championship twice, once with Newcastle and once with Brighton.

Bilic has been a manager for 18 years, and took West Ham to the Europa League.

Meanwhile, Sheffield United are the latest club to be linked with a move for Jay Rodriguez who can leave the Baggies for £5million this summer.