West Brom begin life without Carlos Corberan - as search for successor begins

Corberan called time on his two-year reign at The Hawthorns this week after an approach from his hometown club, who paid the entirety of the head coach's release clause, worth more than £3million.

The Spaniard's departure from the club was finally confirmed at 11.40pm on Christmas Eve.Corberan's exit is a major blow for Albion, who could not stand in the popular head coach's way of a move the La Liga strugglers, the major club near to Corberan's birthplace Cheste. 

The timing is far from ideal given the current festive fixture list of five games in 14 days.Albion visit Derby County this afternoon (5.30pm kick-off) - where they will be under the caretaker stewardship of club legend and current loans manager Chris Brunt, academy goalkeeper coach and ex-player Boaz Myhill and Damia Abella, who was brought in as statistical analyst under Corberan.

The search for Corberan's successor will be led by Andrew Nestor, who has resumed the responsibilities of sporting director under Shilen Patel's Bilkul ownership.

Nestor is chief executive officer at the Bilkul group and was heavily involved in the takeover and football operations since.

Owner and chairman Patel said on social media in the wake of Corberan's departure: "Looking forward, Andrew Nestor is leading the search for our new head coach.

"We look forward to bestowing this tremendous opportunity to the appropriate person.

"Albion have already turned their attention to what they claim shall be a "thorough and wide-reaching" hunt for Corberan's successor.

Names being linked with the vacant role at this early stage include out-of-work trio Tony Mowbray, the former Baggies title-winning boss who recently spent time out the game through illness, former Coventry man Mark Robins and Steve Cooper, who left Leicester earlier this term.

Another ex-Albion promotion-winning boss Slaven Bilic is believed to be keen on a return to the club.Patel said after Corberan's departure: "I want to thank Carlos for all of his hard work since his arrival at the Albion at one of the most challenging times in the club's modern era.

"I am grateful for his contribution and wish Carlos and his family all the best on his new journey!

"Nestor, who alongside Patel was previously involved at Italian club Bologna, said: "The process to identify and appoint a successor is already under way and we have every faith in the team, led by Chris Brunt and Damia Abella, to continue our work on the pitch during this interim period."