Carlos Corberan backed to get the best out of West Brom's Grady Diangana
Carlos Corberan has been backed to rejuvenate the faltering career of Albion winger Grady Diangana.
Diangana has scored just seven goals since arriving from West Ham in an £18million deal three summers ago, after netting eight times while on loan with the Baggies during the 2019-20 promotion-winning campaign.
The 25-year-old missed the end of last season after undergoing surgery on a foot injury in March but will return with the rest of the squad for pre-season training next week. Former Albion midfielder Andy Johnson reckons Corberan, the fifth head coach under whom Diangana has played at The Hawthorns, is the man who can get his career back on track.
“I really want to see Diangana under Carlos,” said Johnson. “I think Grady’s the sort of players that need an arm around him.
“Carlos is great with the man management of players and will recognise it. Next season we could see the best of Grady, that’s saying something because he was incredible when he first arrived.
“I’m excited to see the full squad come back with some new faces.”
Johnson believes Corberan’s work with Kyle Bartley, who enjoyed a strong end to the season after returning from injury, epitomises the Spaniard’s ability to bring the best out of players.
He explained: “Bartley was out of favour but Carlos put him back in, sung his praises in the press and loves him. When he came in the team he looked like a different player, rejuvenated with a zest for the game.
“Before he’d been a bit downbeat and not being used, nobody likes that, but if Carlos can do that to an older experienced pro like Bartley, imagine what he’s done to the younger players.”
Corberan’s work since joining Albion last October has earned him plenty of admirers, including Leeds, who are expected to step up their pursuit of a new head coach over the next few days. The 40-year-old is thought to be on the club’s list of candidates to replace Sam Allardyce at Elland Road, along with ex-Norwich boss Daniel Farke.
Leeds yesterday appointed Albion’s former technical director Nick Hammond on a short-term contract at Elland Road to help with their recruitment.
The Baggies could also come face-to-face with a former fan favourite next season, with Enzo Maresca now favourite to become Leicester’s new boss.
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