Report: West Brom set sights on 55-year-old who’s learned from Rafa Benitez

Add as preferred source on Google

West Brom are reportedly eyeing Javier Pereira for the Baggies manager’s job.

The Hawthorns outfit continues to search for a new head coach in wake of Sam Allardyce’s departure last season.

West Brom are also looking for a new technical director after Luke Dowling left earlier in June.

TEAMtalk has now reported that the Baggies are eyeing Pereira, who currently manages Chinese side Henan Jianye.

Who is Javier Pereira?

Pereira began his coaching career in 2001 with Spanish lower league side Badajoz, taking the B team reins.

The 55-year-old spent his formative managing days in Spain as either first-team coach or assistant.

He left Spain in 2014, linking up with Watford as assistant manager to Oscar Garcia.

Stints at Maccabi Tel Aviv, Fulham and Chongqing Lifan followed.

Pereira returned to Fulham as Assistant Director of Football Operations in January 2020.

However, he was on the move once again in September, taking the Henan Jianjye reins.

Pereira steered the club to safety in the Chinese Super League relegation playoff, courtesy of four wins and two draws.

West Brom moving for the next Benitez?

Pereira and Benitez have both managed in China and the two get along very well.

“I have had a lot of contact with Benitez,” Pereira told Marca last year. “We knew each other from the Premier.

“We have been together for a long time in the bubble that the league set up for the playoffs and the truth is that it is a pleasure to be with a coach with that trajectory.

“He has supported me from day one.”