Former West Brom first-team coach Stephen Clemence is the early favourite to replace David Unsworth as the new manager of non-league side Oldham Athletic. The Latics have spent the vast majority of their history in the Football League - and even made an appearance in the Premier League in the 1990s - but they dropped out of the EFL in 2022 and finished mid-table in the National League last term.
They've begun this year slowly, by comparison. Oldham currently sit third from bottom having taken just seven points and having managed just a single win in their opening nine league games. That prompted the club to dismiss former Everton defender Unsworth from his post and they are now setting about replacing him. In the early stages of the search, former midfielder Clemence has been touted as the bookies' favourite.
Clemence, formerly of Tottenham, Birmingham City and Leicester City in his playing days, has held a host of coaching roles since retiring in 2010; he joined Steve Bruce at Sunderland, and then followed Bruce to Hull City, Aston Villa, Sheffield Wednesday, Newcastle United and, most recently, to Albion.
READ: Every word Carlos Corberan said on Maja injury, Dike & West Brom options
READ: Carlos Corberan must make Jeremy Sarmiento call after latest West Brom audition
In those various roles Clemence worked alongside Steven Agnew, Gary Walsh, Colin Calderwood and Alex Bruce, as well as James Morrison during his stint at The Hawthorns. He did, though, earlier this summer in an interview with the Times confirm his desire to branch out into management himself.
"After a strong finish to the 2022-23 season, a sizeable investment in the playing budget and some highly promising signings during the summer, the start of the current campaign has unfortunately not met the expectations of the club," Oldham confirmed in a statement.
"Following the takeover of Oldham Athletic by the Rothwell family in July 2022, it has been one of their main principles to stay out of the day-to-day running of football activities within the business and provide stability for the long-term survival of the club. David signed for three seasons, to bring stability on the playing front, but despite the hard work and dedication of David and his coaching team, results have not worked out on the pitch."
Clemence, under Bruce at Albion, contributed to eight victories in the space of 32 games in all competitions during an eight-month spell.
