West Bromwich Albion are reportedly showing interest in Go Ahead Eagles head coach Paul Simonis, as reported by Get Football.
The Baggies are still searching for a replacement after sacking Tony Mowbray at the end of the season.
Who Is Paul Simonis?
Paul Simonis is a 40-year-old Dutch head coach who is currently in charge of Eredivisie side Go Ahead Eagles.
Simonis began his coaching journey with the youth sides at Sparta Rotterdam before working his way up to taking charge of the under-19s at The Sparta Stadion.
After 15 years in Rotterdam, Simonis would join Go Ahead as assistant manager to Kees van Wonderen and spend two years at the club before leaving for the same role at Heerenveen.
After another two years, it was time to return to Go Ahead and this time take the top job.
First Season Success
Simonis took over the reins from Rene Hake after the Dutchman left to take up a role as one of Erik ten Hag’s assistants at Manchester United.
Hake had guided the Eagles to a ninth place top flight finish but Simonis managed to improve on that solid season and achieve seventh place.
His biggest achievement was, however, securing the first trophy the club has won since they topped the Eredivisie back in the early 1930s.
That KNVB Cup final penalty shootout victory over AZ Alkmaar not only claimed previous silverware but qualified Simonis’s side for the Europa League group stages for next season.
Simonis’s success encouraged the club to offer him a new contract that ties him to De Adelaarshorst until 2027. However, it is believed that a relatively modest release clause was added to the deal.
Rookie Manager In Demand
Following the KNVB Cup success, West Brom is not the only club alerted to the rising Simonis. Dutch giants and four-time European champions Ajax were rumoured to be considering the Eagles boss to replace Francesco Farioli.
Ajax has since gone down a different path, potentially leaving the door open for Simonis to move to England.
Writer’s View
It would be a surprise if this move happened but the nominal release clause in Simonis’s new contract does leave the door ajar. European football and a rising reputation in Holland may be enough to keep him with Go Ahead.
West Brom have been linked with the usual names but Simonis and Tottenham Hotspur coach Ryan Mason are new names and could provide a breath of fresh air for the Baggies.
