West Brom poised to name Darren Moore new boss – reports

West Brom are poised to name Darren Moore as their new manager, according to reports.

The 44-year-old is in line to become the Baggies’ permanent boss and given the task of returning them to the Premier League.

Chief executive Mark Jenkins and technical consultant Giuliano Terraneo flew out to China this week to speak to owner Guochuan Lai about the head coach role and club’s future.

They have returned to England and appear to have chosen Moore, although Brentford boss Dean Smith and Leicester assistant manager Michael Appleton were also under consideration.

Moore – who made 116 appearances as a player for Albion – was promoted to first-team coach by Alan Pardew in November but replaced Pardew when he was sacked in April.

He lost just one of his six games in charge – a final day 2-0 defeat at Crystal Palace which confirmed relegation – and was named as April’s Premier League Manager of the Month.

Moore has impressed with how he united the club after a fractured dressing room and dissent from the terraces during Pardew’s reign.

He beat Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho and Rafa Benitez to give Albion hope of an improbable escape.

Moore will be under instant pressure to gain promotion from the Sky Bet Championship and is likely to lose key players.

Jonny Evans can leave for just £3million and Gareth Barry is out of contract, while there is expected to be interest in 11-goal top scorer Jay Rodriguez.