Key update as West Brom make progress in head coach hunt

The process to appoint Tony Mowbray's successor has entered its fourth week and it is understood a shortlist of targets is shortening.

An interview process with candidates has started as owners Bilkul, led by chairman Shilen Patel and sporting director Andrew Nestor hone in on targets.

There is no firm timeframe on when an appointment could be confirmed, though it is thought progress has been made with the club's decision-makers working towards a conclusion.

A decision to appoint was expected to run well into May as the club take stock on head coach movements overseas with league seasons elsewhere coming to a close.

The identity of Bilkul's preferred candidates has remained under wraps. It has been expected the club's US owners will lean towards a younger coach looking to progress with Albion in their bid to progress to the top flight.

The Baggies had looked at Swiss coach Raphael Wicky, 48, in January before the former Young Boys boss turned down the move due to issues with his backroom staff.

The club then turned to an emotional reunion with Mowbray, 16 years after his previous departure, on a two-and-a-half year contract. The 61-year-old's second stint at The Hawthorns lasted just three months and 18 games, however, and following five defeats in six and a tumble out of the play-offs he was dismissed on Easter Monday.

The Baggies ended the season having been under four head coaches, including interims.

Sporting director Nestor, a friend and business colleague of Patel's, leads on sporting decisions and previously revealed how a data model - which the owners rely on to base their player recruitment - helped highlight Mowbray as a suitable option in January.

It was claimed statistics showed Mowbray's ability to over-perform with a group just trailed that of promotion-winners Daniel Farke and Vincent Kompany in the Championship previously.

Names linked to The Hawthorns hotseat include Tottenham coach Ryan Mason and former Chelsea and Manchester United coach Eric Ramsay, who now manages Minnesota in the MLS. Both prospects are 33 years old.

Mason is believed to have previously interested Albion owners but it is thought both are settled in their respective roles. Portsmouth's John Mousinho, 39, has impressed after a 16th-placed finish in the Championship but it was reported he is committed to his Fratton Park role.