Thomas Schaaf the new contender for West Brom head coach

German Thomas Schaaf today emerged as the latest new contender in the race to be Albion boss as the Baggies entered the final stages of the search.

The 52-year-old former Werder Bremen player and manager has been sounded out by Hawthorns officials and was today installed as favourite by some bookmakers with the Baggies expected to make an appointment this week.

Former Wolves boss Dave Jones, who impressed Albion during managerial searches around a decade ago, also made a bizarre climb up the betting lists but sources close to the 57-year-old today poured cold water on the rumours.

Schaaf has been out of work since May 2013 after spending his entire 35-year career with Bremen as a player, coach and manager.

He led the club to six major domestic trophies during 14 years as manager, including the Bundesliga title in 2004.

He also took them to the UEFA Cup final in 2009 and Bremen spent six seasons in the Champions League.

He left at the end of last season after a disappointing campaign ended with a 14th-place finish.

Schaaf is the latest in a lengthening list of foreign coaches to emerge as interviewees for the vacancy, although the club have kept a tight lid on the identity of Steve Clarke's successor.

The Baggies are still hopeful of appointing a permanent head coach to take the reins from caretaker Keith Downing before Saturday's trip to Southampton.

The new man will have key decisions to make on players, with several clubs interested in taking midfielder Graham Dorrans on loan and striker Shane Long's future up in the air, with Stoke and Newcastle thought to have joined Hull in expressing an interest.

Meanwhile, young centre-back Craig Dawson has rejected the possibility of another loan move in favour of staying with the Baggies and battling for a first-team spot under the new boss.

Bolton boss Dougie Freedman, who managed Dawson during a highly successful loan stint last season, revealed: "I have spoken through his agent and he tells me that Craig is very, very determined to make it in the West Brom side."