West Brom are in talks to re-hire former manager Tony Mowbray – 16 years after his departure from The Hawthorns.
talkSPORT understands there is optimism a deal can be reached for Mowbray to succeed Carlos Corberan.
The Baggies were set appoint ex-Young Boys boss Raphael Wicky before an issue with backroom staff scuppered the deal.
Mowbray, who has recently overcome bowel cancer, guided West Brom to promotion to the Premier League during his first stint at the helm.
The 61-year-old will be returning to the dugout for the first time since leaving Birmingham in the summer.
Although he officially stepped down in May, Mowbray took time away from the role in February following his diagnosis.
In his absence, the Blues were relegated to League One, but had shown an improvement during Mowbray’s brief spell in charge.
Across six league matches, he picked up three wins and a draw, including a win over former club Sunderland.
His return to the Hawthorns comes with the Baggies sat seventh in the table, just a point outside the play-offs.
Chris Brunt has been in interim charge since Corberan left the club to take over at Spanish side Valencia on Christmas Eve.
The former midfielder made 79 appearances for the Baggies under Mowbray and was part of his promotion-winning side in 2008.
During that first spell, he guided West Brom back to the Premier League as champions in his first full season in charge.
However, he was unable to keep the club up the following season as they finished bottom of the table.
Mowbray left the Hawthorns for Celtic following the relegation and has since managed the likes of Middlesbrough, Coventry, Blackburn and Sunderland.
Meanwhile, West Brom are now into their fourth consecutive season outside the top flight.
During that time, they have once made the play-offs, losing to eventual winners Southampton last term.