All change as big four plan way ahead

Chief sports writer Martin Swain examines the prospect of a summer scrap for managers in the West Midlands

A unique summer beckons for the West Midlands in which all four of the region's recent Premier League clubs could be changing managers.

At Albion, sporting and technical director Dan Ashworth will be presenting his list of potential replacements for chairman Jeremy Peace's perusal as we speak.

At Wolves, the disastrous end to the season looks sure to sabotage the chances of interim boss Terry Connor getting a second crack at the job and leaves Steve Morgan hoping for a more efficient replacement process this time around.

At Villa, the lukewarm backing for the embattled Alex McLeish last week – "no-one is thinking beyond the next three games" – has convinced many this most strained of manager-fan base relationships cannot continue.

And that leaves luckless Birmingham in the crosshairs as they currently thrive under the guidance of the coveted Chris Hughton against a backdrop of uncertainty provoked by their owners' financial crisis.

Never before can all four fan bases have gone into a summer anticipating change at the top. But it is a genuine prospect following the FA's decision to go for Albion head coach

Roy Hodgson for the England job. This tangled West Midlands web of activity is made more sensitive by the knowledge that all four will be operating from a similar lists of contenders.

Hughton will be a man now being enviously eyed by any number of rival clubs pondering a change despite the promotion opportunity beckoning his excellent Blues team.

The former Newcastle manager's name is guaranteed to figure on any number of shortlists being drawn up in boardrooms across the land after a campaign of quite unexpected success at St Andrew's.

He has worked under a transfer embargo and the constraints of a regime which has proved to be yet another in the increasingly long line of foreign owners whose promises far exceed the depth of their pockets.

Chairman Carson Yeung awaits trial on money laundering charges back in Hong Kong and with the club's holding company's accounts delayed yet again last weekend, his reign looks to be heading for the rocks and pushing Blues towards an uncertain future regardless of their fate in the Championship play-offs. This leaves the club vulnerable to the vultures eyeing Hughton.

Hughton was the alternative candidate to Hodgson when Albion removed Roberto Di Matteo from office in early 2011 and nothing that has happened since can have weakened their admiration for his abilities.

Elsewhere, the options divide into different groups. The hardy seniors eyeing a fresh chance include Alan Curbishley, Steve Bruce and Walter Smith. And now that Glenn

Hoddle is back in the mainstream looking for another coaching job, would he, too, be considered?

Undoubtedly, many will want to check out whether Roberto Martinez now considers his debt of honour to Wigan fulfilled and fancies a better-appointed club.

After the successes of young, progressive managers this season – Nigel Adkins, Brendan Rodgers, Paul Lambert for example – there is a strong buzz in the game that Cardiff and Crystal Palace have got themselves good 'uns in Malky Mackay and Dougie Freedman. At Brighton, Gus Poyet has certainly caught the eye of Wolves owner Steve Morgan and fits the bill for many.

Specific to Albion will be Derek McInnes at Bristol City, who has fought his way through a tortuous first assignment in England with typical shrewdness.

And after his puzzling, some might say disgraceful, sacking at Huddersfield, Lee Clark is a figure frequently mentioned when Wolves fans congregate to discuss their club's next step.

The surprise names from abroad always catch the fancy. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is readying Molde for their Champions League debut but still captures the imagination; Michael Laudrup, after merit-worthy efforts with Getafe and a troubled Real Mallorca, is available and a celebrated figure.

Albion view - by Steve Madeley

All indications from Albion suggest Chris Hughton will make the running to take over at The Hawthorns.

The Birmingham boss almost got the job 15 months ago and has enhanced his reputation still further since then, so he would be an attractive proposition if the Baggies could tempt him away from St Andrew's.

Out-of-work former Charlton chief Alan Curbishley is also a strong shout as his methods might offer a continuation of Roy Hodgson's meticulous approach, while Roberto Martinez would be an attractive option but might be a difficult fish to land.

Former Hawthorns favourites Derek McInnes and Michael Appleton would be popular in some quarters, but their lack of experience makes them outsiders.

Steve Bruce has been mentioned strongly in the betting but his probable reluctance to work with a sporting director and his closeness to Bryan Robson are obvious sticking points, as is a likely backlash from fans.

Wolves view by Tim Nash

Terry Connor's chances of keeping the Wolves job might be slim in the fans' eyes. But try telling that to the players. Almost to a man, the squad are behind the long-serving coach becoming the boss beyond the end of the season.

While results have been awful, team performances have improved, and there has been an upturn in the displays of certain individuals that suggests results would go the same way given time.

In the boardroom, senior officials have seen at close hand the issues he has dealt with which have proved every bit as difficult as the on-pitch tests.

All of this has garnered support for Connor.

While Chris Hughton would now appear to be beyond Wolves' reach, don't rule out interest in Ian Holloway, Malky Mackay and ex-Wolves players Dougie Freedman and Darren Ferguson. Burnley's Eddie Howe is also a possibility. But is it too soon for young hopefuls?

Villa verdict by Timothy Abraham

Swansea City boss Brendan Rodgers would be a popular choice as Villa manager should the club decide to dispense with Alex McLeish's services in the summer.

Rodgers plays football the right way, is used to working to a budget and has a track record of working with young players which would appeal to the Villa board.

The major issue would be whether the man himself feels ready to leave his Swansea project behind and if Villa is the right next step.

It would be a similar story with Southampton's Nigel Adkins and Reading's Brian McDermott although Villa would be able to tempt Cardiff's Malky Mackay and Brighton's Gus Poyet.

They may fancy a second bite at Wigan boss Roberto Martinez while Paul Lambert could be among the contenders given his impressive debut season in the Premier League with Norwich City.

Villa could also look to a foreign coach with Louis van Gaal, Claudio Ranieri and Rafael Benitez out of work.