Bloom weighs up his options (From The Argus)

Bloom weighs up his options

7:00am Friday 6th November 2009

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Albion are torn between big names and contenders with proven records in the lower divisions after Steve Coppell ruled himself out of the running for the manager’s job.

The Argus understands at least one high profile former player has expressed an interest.

But a head-turning appointment could be a gamble and chairman Tony Bloom may plump for a more solid candidate.

Jim Gannon, Colin Calderwood, Nigel Adkins, Gus Poyet and Steve Tilson are among the names under consideration.

Vote here for your choice for manager:

Your Vote

With the withdrawal of Steve Coppell from the running to become Albion's new manager, who do you think should take on the challenge?

Nigel Adkins:
12%

Gus Poyet:
40%

Jim Gannon:
38%

Colin Calderwood:
10%

The Argus website exclusively revealed yesterday afternoon that No. 1 target Coppell is holding fire for a Premier League or Championship job, which will be his last in management.

That opportunity could come as early as next week, with Phil Brown one game from the sack at Hull.

Albion chairman Tony Bloom said: “Steve was one of the first names to spring to mind, and would have been a leading candidate for the job, but on initial contact he ruled himself out.

“He is enjoying his time out of the game, after leaving Reading last summer, and I think only a very high profile job could tempt him back into football at this time.

“We have had a high number of quality applicants and have now refined the shortlist and will continue with the process of evaluating and interviewing the leading contenders.”

Gannon was the first choice of former chairman Dick Knight before Russell Slade was appointed but he turned Albion down and moved to Motherwell from Stockport instead.

Gannon has continued to impress north of the border, where he has just been named manager of the month.

Calderwood, currently assistant manager at Newcastle, guided Northampton to promotion from League Two and Nottingham Forest from League One.

That makes him appealing to Bloom, as the chairman wants Albion in the Championship for the move to Falmer in August 2011.

Adkins is highly regarded by the Albion Board for the same reason, having steered Scunthorpe to promotion to the Championship twice in the past three seasons with former Seagull Andy Crosby as his assistant.

Uruguyan Poyet worked with Dennis Wise at Swindon and Leeds and at Spurs under Juande Ramos, while Tilson led cash-strapped Southend to the League One title in 2005-06 and into the play-offs two seasons later following relegation.

They are all regarded as more realistic targets for Albion than the likes of Alan Curbishley and Gareth Southgate, who, it is feared, would adopt the same stance as Coppell.

Other contenders include Steve Cotterill, Iain Dowie, Brentford's Andy Scott, ex-Gillingham chief Andy Hessenthaler, Exeter boss Paul Tisdale and Tony Adams.

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Your Say YourArgus

russellsnr, Pilonas says...
7:33am Fri 6 Nov 09

Lots of names but in todays climate that is to be expected, lots of wanna bees and dead wood out there so TB needs to be and sure will be very carefull as he decides.
At the end of the day I don't care what his name is (Sant Clause if you want) just as long as he can get these players playing to there best and take us as a team forward & not a repeat of last season PLEASE