FORMER Dutch international John Heitinga has emerged as the surprise favourite to take over at West Brom.
The Baggies are on the hunt for a new head coach after Carlos Corberan joined Spanish giants Valencia on Christmas Eve.
Mark Robins, Steve Cooper and recently-deposed Southampton boss Russell Martin have all been linked with the vacancy but it is Heitinga - currently on Arne Slot's coaching staff at Liverpool - who leads the way.
The former Everton and Fulham defender, who won 87 caps and featured in four major tournaments for the Netherlands, began his coaching career at Ajax and spent the final five months of the 2022-23 campaign in charge of the first team.
However, he was dismissed in favour of Maurice Steijn and, after a spell working under David Moyes at West Ham, joined compatriot Slot at Anfield in the summer.
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