West Bromwich Albion are believed to have held talks with former Manchester United assistant manager Rene Hake as they look to fill their vacant head coach role, according to reports. The Baggies have been forced into action after former manager Carlos Corberan had his release clause paid by Valencia last month.
![[Hake was part of Erik ten Hag's coaching staff at Man United after joining ahead of the season]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/08/17/93879287-14263787-image-a-24_1736357981923.jpg)
The LaLiga side paid £2.8million to secure the 41-year-old, with the announcement of Corberan's departure after two years at the club coming on Christmas Eve. The Midlands club sit seventh in the Championship, and will be keen to secure a new manager to take over from interim head coaching trio Chris Brunt, Damia Abella, and Boaz Myhill.
![[Another name linked with the Championship side is Liverpool assistant coach John Heitinga]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/08/17/93879317-14263787-image-a-25_1736357990305.jpg)
The three assistants have overseen three ties unbeaten, including two 1-1 draws against Sheffield United and Swansea, and a 3-1 victory against Preston on New Year's Day, and will likely be in charge for the club's FA Cup tie against Bournemouth on Saturday.
But as per Fabrizio Romano, one of the club hierarchy's three preferred candidates is Hake, who most recently worked under Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford. Rene Hake (left, with former assistant coach Ruud van Nistelrooy) is on the shortlist of coaches to take over at West Bromwich Albion.
Hake was part of Erik ten Hag's coaching staff at Man United after joining ahead of the season. Hake only joined the Man United set-up in the summer, after handing over the reigns at Go Ahead Eagles in his native Holland to join his compatriot's coaching overhaul.
The 52-year-old spent just four months at the club before Ten Hag's tumultuous departure, and left alongside Ruud van Nistelrooy and goalkeeping coach Jelle ten Rouwelaar when incoming head coach Ruben Amorim cleaned house and brought in his own staff upon his November appointment.
