West Bromwich Albion have appointed Valerien Ismael as their new manager for 2021-22 season.
Ismael joins the Baggies on a four-year contract until June 2025 after just eight months in charge of Barnsley, having guided the Tykes to fifth in the Championship last season and qualified for the play-offs, where they lost at the semi-final stage to Swansea.
West Brom meanwhile are returning to the second tier after suffering relegation from the Premier League and Sam Allardyce resigned as manager upon expiry of his contract.
Speaking on the decision to accept the role as part of a new project centred around his vision, Ismael spoke of West Brom’s “big commitment” in trusting him to implement his own philosophy for the next four seasons.
The 45 year-old therefore has asked for the fans’ support in this new project, commenting: “We’re going to need everyone, especially our fans, to support the team. It’s a new start for everyone and it’s important that we take on this new challenge together, and we’ll continue to work hard to make the fans proud this year.”
In a statement, the club confirmed that Ismael will follow Coronavirus protocols upon his return to the UK after heading aboard as part of his summer break and self-isolate before joining up with his new team.
West Brom’s Chief Executive Officer, Xu Ke spoke in the statement about feeling “delighted” to have signed Ismael as the club’s new manager, following agreement of a compensation package with Barnsley for the Frenchman’s release.
Ke went on to praise Ismael for showing “professionalism, enthusiasm and hunger to succeed” at his previous clubs, including Wolfsburg and LASK although Ismael’s performance with Barnsley last season was singled out for the biggest compliment after quickly turning the Tykes from relegation strugglers to promotion contenders.
It is hoped that Ismael will help West Brom “achieve our goal” of returning to the Premier League whilst “building on strong foundations” for the long-term future, instead of repeating past mistakes of focusing on the immediate future in recent seasons.
Ke however has iterated that the task will be tough but views the recruitment of players as of “utmost importance” in order to strengthen the squad, whilst ensuring preparations are put in place with current players ahead of the new season.
Ismael and Ke will work alongside West Brom’s Head of Recruitment, Ian Pearce to determine their transfer plans as the club looks to strengthen the squad, following several player exits this summer including Hal Robson-Kanu amongst others.
Ismael’s first match as West Brom manager will see the Baggies visit Bournemouth on the opening weekend of 6-9 August, before his first home game at The Hawthorns takes place a week later against Luton.
Ismael will have to wait until the last pre-Xmas weekend of 17-20 December before he can take West Brom back to his former club – Barnsley at Oakwell, with both teams then set to collide on the final day at The Hawthorns on Saturday 7 May 2022.
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