Leicester appointment offers brief West Brom respite but not the end of Carlos Corberan fear

It is not full celebration, yet, at retaining the services of head coach Carlos Corberan.

The Spaniard has been strongly linked away from the Baggies this summer, understandably so after some fine work in 18 months in the Black Country, and the continuous reports have placed the Albion faithful on edge.

It doesn’t appear, however, that reports mentioning Corberan in line with vacant jobs are quite yet finished. Leicester looked the firmest admirers and to have the biggest pull. Graham Potter, Cooper and Corberan were linked the strongest though it looked like the Foxes, with their financial concerns in mind despite promotion, would not fancy paying Corberan’s release clause to get him from The Hawthorns, which is believed to be in the region of £3million-£4million.

Potter is probably eyeing up a potential England role in a few weeks. It felt like Cooper, formerly of Foxes neighbours Nottingham Forest, was the right fit.

Corberan would be keen, though. How could any Championship boss not be interested in a top flight job, even one that looks somewhat rocky?

Burnley are the other Championship outfit linked with the Baggies boss. It has been understood that link is based on very little and Corberan isn’t a target. But reports elsewhere will not go away.

Constant noise and links suggest work in the background to have the Spaniard mentioned with these jobs. The work of agencies and representatives is to progress the work of their clients. This is normal practice, unofficial talks barely stop in football and reps look to get their man the best job or deal.

It doesn’t suggest Corberan is desperate to get away from The Hawthorns, where he faces a challenging summer rebuilding a squad on very little. But it has been a constant reminder of where Albion are in the food chain relative to Leicester, Burnley and others at the moment.

It is not yet a given that next season will start with Corberan in charge of Albion, but it looks more likely now Cooper has swooped in at the King Power Stadium.

And that is some relief for the Baggies, and some momentary respite. The Spaniard has a big job on this summer, to add several players and mould a squad with biting financial regulations. It is by no means easy, and at the moment Corberan’s stock is high, which might not last forever, but Albion feel in capable hands with him at the helm.