Charlton Athletic boss, Lee Bowyer, has been identified as a potential successor for Slaven Bilic at West Bromwich Albion.
Bilic has endured a tough start to the Premier League season, with the Baggies without a win heading into this weekend’s meeting with Tottenham.
The Mirror claim that there’s growing tension between Bilic and the board, with results, understandably, a concern at this moment in time.
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That same report claims that Bowyer is catching the eye at the Hawthorns and would be a contender to replace Bilic if the axe fell.
Charlton find themselves on a six-game winning run in League One, which has moved the Addicks into the early mix for the top-two.
There’s little denying that Bowyer’s credentials are growing in the EFL, with his Charlton side impressive in the Championship last season, despite their relegation.
We dive into the pros and cons of West Brom swooping for the Charlton boss…
Pro: Fearless
Like when he was a player, Bowyer is fearless as a manager.
He’s had problems above him at board level throughout his time at Charlton, but his side have got their heads down and really got to grips with whatever has been thrown at them.
They won the League One play-offs in 2018/19 and then went at the Championship strongly, with relegation only confirmed in stoppage time of the 46th game of a complicated season.
Again, 2020/21 has thrown up its own problems, but Bowyer’s side have overcome a tough start and are thriving once more.
The way Bowyer attacks any challenge in his way is to be admired. He'd tackle the challenge at West Brom head-on and might yet keep them in the Premier League.
Con: Experience
This is the obvious concern with West Brom moving for Bowyer.
The 43-year-old is raw still in terms of management and the West Brom job isn’t an easy one at all.
Bowyer has been forced to really learn on the job at Charlton in League One and then the Championship. He’s done well, but the Premier League is a different animal.
Can West Brom really afford to overlook some of the more experienced candidates if Bilic goes? I don’t think they can.
Pro: Relationship with key West Brom players
Two summer signings at West Brom have previously worked with Bowyer.
Conor Gallagher made 26 appearances on loan with Charlton during the first-half of last season, with the midfielder scoring six goals and registering two assists.
Karlan Grant, who is the club’s key summer addition, also crossed paths with Bowyer at Charlton before he moved onto Huddersfield Town.
On the evidence of the opening weeks of the Premier League season, that pair are going to be very important for West Brom, so Bowyer coming in and getting the same tune out of them he did at Charlton could be brilliant news.
Con: Actually getting him out of Charlton
Bowyer is a fiercely loyal manager.
He’s stuck by Charlton during such turbulent times. He loves the club and started his career there.
There will come a time when he wants to move on, but is now that time? Surely he wants another crack at promotion with his club?
If you look at the outcome of Charlton going up and West Brom coming down, it’s actually quite possible and they could be at the same level in 2021/22.
Other Premier League clubs might be that little bit more appealing than West Brom to Bowyer.