Next West Brom manager: Bookies slash odds on Preston's Alex Neil

Alex Neil is the new bookies favourite to take over at The Hawthorns following a flurry of big bets.

The current Preston boss has been backed in from 9/4 into as short as 1/3 with Sky Bet.

The 37-year-old has had a fantastic season at Deepdale, but last night's 2-0 defeat to Leeds was a major dent to their play-off hopes.

The Lilywhites now sit in 11th, six points adrift of Aston Villa in 6th with an inferior goal difference.

Albion's 3-2 defeat at Bristol City was their second in four days on the road with the club desperately looking for momentum to finish the season.

Caretaker boss James Shan accepted the Albion board may want to bring in someone in from outside after back-to-back defeats.

The Baggies are virtually assured of the play-offs, but will be keen for a potential new manager to have time with the team.

Neil already has a Championship promotion on his CV after guiding fomer club Norwich City to the Premier League in 2015.

According to the bookies, former England manager Sam Allardyce is the other man in contention and is available at 9/4.