West Bromwich Albion left it too late to deliver the bombshell that left Carlos Corberan to take over Valencia on Christmas Eve.

Santa was already in attendance when the announcement was made just 20 minutes before midnight.

But where is the club now? And her now former head coach.

For the 41-year-old Corberan, returning to Spain to coach Valencia could prove to be a risk.

Just ask one of his predecessors in office, Gary Neville!

The Mestalla men are in the relegation zone, have struggled financially and since the departure of current Aston Villa boss Unai Emery in 2012, only one manager has been at the helm for more than two years.

But then there is Albion’s own financial situation.

Corberan’s hands were tied for most of his 26-month reign.

He was appointed as Steve Bruce’s successor in October 2022, when Chairman Guochuan Lai was still officially at the helm, but only in name, with no presence or financial support at all. But Corberan organized a team that climbed out of the relegation zone and narrowly missed out on a place in the 2022-23 Championship play-offs.

The following season he actually finished in the top six, losing in the semi-final to Southampton, who he was also linked with last week – again without a single penny for his recruiting team to spend.

But his coaching qualities came to the fore when he turned underdogs like Cedric Kipre and Alex Mowatt into important members of his starting XI, something he did again this season with Karlan Grant.

Despite the takeover by American businessman Shilen Patel in February, the club’s financial constraints remain. Just last week it was revealed that the reduced summer salary budget was actually up to 30%, resulting in the loss of several players.

It’s a short-term setback for the Baggies – especially with three games in six days coming up over the holidays. But it could be a step that suits all parties.

Corberan can finally prove himself in the top flight of an elite league, he will be closer to his family and the vocal minority of Albion fans who have grown tired of his football will get to see something different.

However, this comes with a warning that one should be careful what one wishes for, because the work he has done in stabilizing the club on the pitch during a time of utter turmoil cannot be underestimated, and in comparison They are definitely in a better position two years ago.

He should go with the good wishes of the majority of Baggies fans – and he certainly will with those he worked with at the training ground, because not only is he a top coach, but more importantly a decent man.