Alan Pardew has emerged as favourite to succeed Tony Pulis as West Bromwich Albion manager.

West Brom’s hierarchy were quick to compile a list of possible targets with the likes of Michael O’Neill, Sam Allardyce and Craig Shakespeare considered.

However, Pardew is believed to be the man they are closing on, an interest which has stemmed from their Technical Director Nicky Hammond.

Hammond and Pardew worked together at Reading, and have remained close – now the time looks to have come when they will again work alongside each other.

Pardew has been out of work since leaving Crystal Palace in 2016, but he is clearly eager to return to management and he could now get that chance at The Hawthorns.

Sources close to the situation believe that Pardew’s Premier League experience has persuaded West Brom to go with him, although it remains to be seen how long-term they feel the appointment is.

We spoke to BetVictor’s Head of ante post Football Michael Triffitt about the West Brom market, which sees Pardew’s odds-on.

“Alan Pardew has been the best backed candidate to replace Tony Pulis at the Hawthorns and is currently a short priced 1/4 favourite,” he said.

“The former Crystal Palace and Newcastle gaffer opened at 12/1 and this looked a market that may attract many candidates but surprisingly it has failed to really capture the betting public.

“Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill has been nibbled at into 6/1 second favourite whilst Sam Allardyce is linked with most vacancies these days and is 10/1 whilst its amazingly 20/1 bar the trio.”