West Brom begin hunt for Hodgson´s successor

West Bromwich Albion chairman Jeremy Peace has announced the club have started their search for a new manager.

Roy Hodgson is set to leave the club at the end of the season after he was unveiled as the new England manager on Tuesday.

The departure of Hodgson – who joined the club just 15 months ago as a replacement for Roberto Di Matteo – has disappointed Peace, who understands the reasons behind the manager’s departure.

“The board will now concentrate on the important task of appointing a new head coach to continue our project as we prepare for a third successive season in the Barclays Premier League,” Peace said.

“We did not want Roy to leave and he will be a tough act to follow.

“But I want to reassure our supporters that we will do everything possible to identify and appoint the right head coach for this football club.”

Peace revealed the approach for Hodgson from the Football Association (FA) came while the club was negotiating a new deal for the manager.

“We would have liked Roy to sign a new contract, which was in the process of negotiation, and remain as our head coach,” he said.

“But we understand Roy’s desire to take the England job and he will leave us after the Arsenal game on May 13 with our best wishes.

“Of course, with Euro 2012 around the corner, we appreciate that some of Roy’s focus over the next 12 days will be on England matters.

“But we are delighted he will be seeing the season out with us. With the help of the coaching staff, he will prepare the team in his usual, meticulous manner as we finish what has already been a successful season.”

West Brom sit 10th on the English Premier League table, with matches against Bolton and Arsenal to come.