West Brom appoint Tony Pulis as new Head Coach

West Brom will appoint Tony Pulis as their new head coach before the weekend. As expected the former Crystal Palace and Stoke boss has returned to the managerial arena, although he is unlikely to take charge of the club for their New Year's Day clash at West Ham, meaning his first game at the helm will be an FA Cup tie at home to Gateshead on Saturday.

Since Pulis emerged as the favourite on Tuesday there had been some doubts that he would take the job due to Albion's preference of a "head coach", however it has since been revealed that Pulis will have full control of the first team and the ultimate say on transfers in and out of the club, with the 56-year-old satisfied with the terms that have been negotiated.

Pulis inherits a side that have suffered seven defeats in their last nine matches, leaving them down in 16th, just one point above the relegation zone. Former head coach Alan Irvine scraped together just four wins from his 19 top-flight matches in charge, which ended with a dismal 2-0 defeat at Pulis' former club Stoke. Pulis, who miraculously steered the Eagles to an 11th place finish last season, will be charged with leading the Baggies clear of the bottom three, with the Midlands club now priced at 4/9 with Ladbrokes to preserve their Premier League status.