Tony Pulis to West Brom: Latest Details, Reaction and Analysis

Tony Pulis will be the new manager of West Bromwich Albion, replacing Alan Irvine after the latter was sacked on the 29th of December. The club announced the news via Twitter:

The Baggies later released a statement on their official website:

"

West Bromwich Albion are today delighted to confirm the appointment of Premier League Manager of the Year Tony Pulis as the club’s new Head Coach.

Pulis has agreed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Baggies and will take charge after today’s Barclays Premier League fixture at West Ham.

His appointment takes his management career into a 23rd year, a career highlighted by landmark roles establishing Stoke City as a Premier League force before last season’s remarkable rescue of Crystal Palace from the threat of relegation.

"

Irvine was sacked after a disappointing series of results, losing seven of his last nine matches in charge and guiding the club to 16th place in the Premier League standings, just one point above the relegation zone.

The club immediately held talks with a number of managers, in search of a quick resolution. Pulis and Tim Sherwood emerged as the favourites to take over the vacant position, with the Baggies eventually opting for the former Crystal Palace boss.

Pulis left the Eagles just before the start of the 2014-15 season after falling out with the club board, mainly due to Palace's transfer strategy. The 56-year-old demanded more control over player decisions, per the Guardian's Peter Lansley, and was upset over a lack of quality arrivals in the summer window.

He took over as manager of Crystal Palace when the club suffered similar struggles as West Brom do now, guiding them away from the relegation zone and to an impressive 11th-placed finish, winning the Premier League Manager of the Season award. He had been without a job ever since.

Sky Sports' Adam Bate thinks the veteran manager should be successful in guiding West Brom away from the relegation zone:

Several clubs found themselves in need of a new manager, with Crystal Palace reportedly asking Newcastle United for permission to speak to Alan Pardew after the sacking of Neil Warnock, according to the MailOnline's Neil Ashton.

And as shared by former England international and current TV analyst Michael Owen, the market for managers is currently quite bare:

West Brom were in dire need of a new manager to turn their fate around, however, and had to settle for whoever was available. The Baggies and their fans must now hope Pulis can improve on the work Irvine did and guide the club away from the relegation zone.

Follow @ReverschPass