West Brom verdict offered amid talk of Carlos Corberan replacing Russell Martin at Southampton

For his efforts at The Hawthorns, where he has worked for over two years, the highly regarded Spanish manager has received a lot of praise.

Last time out, Corberan led the Baggies to the top six in his first full season at the club, but they lost to Martin in two legs. In a pretty ironic turn of events, he may now be replacing Martin.

West Brom is once again in the running for a play-off berth, even though they have a poorer roster and transfer budget than many of their rivals at the top of the Championship table.

They are currently only two points behind Middlesbrough in sixth place, and they will be looking to overtake them in the upcoming weeks as they prepare for crucial matches against Sheffield United, Derby County, and Bristol City later this month.

However, as per crucial recent reports, the Baggies could be poised to lose Corberan imminently.

According to a fresh report published by Football Insider, Corberan has now emerged as the favourite to take over from Martin after Southampton parted ways with the ex-Swansea City boss in the wake of their chastening 5-0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday evening.

According to the article, Southampton is reportedly eager to replace Martin as quickly as possible in a last-ditch effort to keep their top-flight standing, and boardroom discussions have already taken place. The Saints are already well behind at the bottom of the Premier League standings after just 16 games; they have only won once, given up 36 goals, and amassed just five points.

Due to their dismal performance upon rejoining the Premier League, Southampton is already nine points from safety, and relegation back to the Championship already seems certain for the south coast team. However, the source also states that Corberan is eager to leave West Brom and give the Premier League a shot.

Following the reported development in Corberan’s potential switch to Southampton, we asked our Baggies fan pundit, Callum Burgess, if he sees the popular Spaniard staying put in the West Midlands or jumping ship if a formal offer is placed.

With Southampton’s destined swift return to the second-tier in mind, Callum believes Corberan will be staying exactly where he is for the time being and may well hold out for a job at a more solidified Premier League outfit.

Callum told Football League World, “You have to consider Corberan’s prior reluctance to leave the club.”

“With or without West Bromwich Albion, Corberan’s ultimate goal is to manage a Premier League team, and I have no question about that.

But, with all due respect to Southampton, I don’t think he’ll want to sign for a team that was demoted 16 games into the season.

“I think he would jump at the chance for a suitable and stable Premier League club, maybe towards the end of the season when they’re changing the guard looking for a new pathway, a club which isn’t in an immediate relegation battle like Southampton are is where I see Corberan eventually leaving Albion for whether it’s this season or further in the future.

“If Southampton come knocking, I do think he’d enter talks with them but I don’t think he’d be jumping at the chance to leave for them.”