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Sources: West Brom make contact with ex-Everton boss after Ismael talks latest
West Brom have lined up ex-Everton boss Marco Silva as a fall-back option in case talks with Valerien Ismael collapse, Football Insider can reveal.
The Oakwell manager has emerged as the latest frontrunner in Albions’s lengthy managerial hunt.
But a deal is not yet agreed and a West Brom source has told Football Insider the club have also been in contact with Silva.
The Portugese, 43, has not returned to management since being sacked by Everton in December 2019 with them 18th in the table.
West Brom are wary of having an alternative in case their latest managerial pursuit is unsuccessful.
A move to appoint Chris Wilder was vetoed by the Chinese owner Guochuan Lai, leading to the departure of sporting director Luke Dowling last week.
David Wagner held talks before choosing Young Boys instead and there were also discussions with Lincoln City manager Michael Appleton and another old boy Derek McInnes.
Ismael has crucial Championship experience and won many admirers for the remarkable recent campaign he oversaw at minnows Barnsley.
He took over at Barnsley last October and guided them from the relegation to fifth and the play-offs after overseeing an extraordinary turnaround.
Silva has not managed in the Championship but has extensive English experience through previous posts at Watford and Hull City.
Silva made his name in his homeland through spells at Estoril and Sporting Lisbon, as well as at Olympiacos in Greece.
He won the second division at Estoril as well as the league title at Olympiacos, and the Portugese Cup at Sporting.
In other news, West Brom make shock decisions on manager and director of football hires.