Former Oxford United manager Michael Appleton has emerged as a potential candidate to succeed Darren Moore at West Bromwich Albion, according to reports from the Telegraph.

The Baggies parted company with Moore after their bid for automatic promotion took a major blow in recent weeks - defeats to Sheffield United and Leeds United meant that the club slipped to 4th in the league standings, and after being held to a 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town at the weekend, his fate at the Hawthorns was sealed.

It is believed that the club are considering one of either Slavisa Jokanovic or David Wagner to take over at the Hawthorns, but reports have also surfaced that former player Michael Appleton could also be in the frame for the job.

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Appleton is no stranger to the West Midlands club - the 43-year old finished his playing career with the club making over 30 appearances during a two-year stay at the Hawthorns, and he also managed them on a temporary basis when Roberto Di Matteo was sacked in 2011.

The former Oxford manager's most recent post was at Leicester City, where he was assistant manager to both Craig Shakespeare and Claude Puel, though he is mostly known for his time with the Oxfordshire club, of who he helped gain promotion from League Two in 2016.

It is believed that the club's chief executive Mark Jenkins is a huge admirer of Appleton, and there is "likely to be support" for the former Portsmouth boss.

The Baggies currently sit nine points off the automatic promotion places, after a run of three games without a win.

The Verdict

This is a really interesting development that is likely to split West Brom fans right down the middle.

Appleton is held in high regard at the Hawthorns, though his managerial experience wouldn't really appeal to a team that are looking to win promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs.

Slavisa Jokanovic would be the perfect replacement, and in my view, he should be considered before anyone else.