Pulis Appointed WBA Boss

Tony Pulis is set to be appointed as West Brom head coach to succeed the sacked Alan Irvine.

The 56-year-old former Stoke and Crystal Palace manager is likely to be confirmed in the position on Thursday.

It is hoped he will be in the stands at Upton Park for West Brom's New Year's Day Premier League visit to West Ham.

There are still some details to be decided, but the deal to make Pulis the club's fourth head coach in a year is expected to proceed without a problem.

West Brom will retain their continental structure - in which the head coach works to technical director Terry Burton and sporting director Richard Garlick, who in turn report to chairman Jeremy Peace.

But Pulis has been assured he will have full control of all first-team matters, including the buying and selling of players.

The Welshman will meet with Peace for the first time on Thursday, and will bring Dave Kemp with him as his assistant, but decisions are still to be made on the rest of the coaching staff.

Albion are 16th in the Premier League, a point above the relegation zone, following Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Stoke.

Irvine was placed on gardening leave on Tuesday after winning just four of his 19 league games in charge.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30641213