So who wants it?

Who will replace Tony Mowbray? (if we're to assume he leaves...)
I'm just offering a little insight. You decide who you want. The next Albion manager may be on this list. Some may not even make the starting grid.

THE RUNNERS AND RIDERS

DARREN FERGUSON
FOR: Ambitious, two successive promotions, attractive football and well connected in the game (with a little thanks to his father...). Perhaps the one candidate who ticks all boxes in terms of suitability. A promising young manager.
AGAINST: Is on a good number at Peterborough, who are already looking for top flight football. An ex-Manchester United (Robson) and former Wolves team-mate (Venus) have been involved with Albion. Would they recommend Albion to him? If he was successful in getting the job his shelf life at club may be short-lived if he does well. He's already carving out a reputation for himself as a potential top manager.

DEREK McINNES.
FOR: Is fondly remembered by Albion, remains highly thought-of by Jeremy Peace and has just tasted success with St Johnstone. Would give Albion a huge lift. His name carries a lot of weight with the right people at the club. A leader, a character, a winner and a great diplomat. Everyone at Albion seems to speak highly of him.
AGAINST: Relative inexperience is only question mark. Inevitable risk of his playing achievements being overshadowed if he fails to succeed as a manager at B71.

DAVE JONES:
FOR: Admired by club's hierarchy. Was close to getting the job in 2006 but was persuaded to remain at Cardiff, citing their ambitious plans. Has perhaps reached end of his shelf life in Wales. Has vast experience of top flight and Championship football.
AGAINST: Cardiff's lack of progress and success goes against him. His Wolves connections will merely add to any pressures. Would he work with a Sporting and Technical Director?

STEVE COPPELL
FOR: More than 25 years experience as manager. His sides play good football and would seemingly be comfortable working alongside Albion's technical director having worked for one at Reading. Out of work so compensation wouldn't be an issue.
AGAINST: Is he as fully motivated and charged as some of the younger candidates? As dour as they come. And not the greatest man-manager.

ALAN IRVINE
FOR: Has made a decent transition from coach to manager. Has worked to a budget and styled a well-drilled, organised football team. Worked with David Moyes for many years and certainly one for the future. Will figure on Albion's list.
AGAINST: Not the most high-profile name associated with Albion. Lacks pedigree and experience.

GARY JOHNSON
FOR: Has fashioned decent passing sides over the years and achieved success on a budget. Almost took Bristol City into top flight last year.
AGAINST: City haven't made the same progress this season. Again, his name doesn't carry the same weight as some of Albion's other candidates

ALAN CURBISHLEY
FOR: Has vast know-how and may be back in the market for another crack at management. His experience and standing in the game would raise the club's profile.
AGAINST: Didn't enjoy working for a technical director at West Ham. His brand of football also won him few friends at Upton Park and is the fire still burning within?

ROBERTO DI MATTEO.
FOR: Young, ambitious and has managed to make MK Dons semi-likeable. Okay, maybe that's stretching it. Would appear to fit Peace's ideal profile of a manager.
AGAINST: Still a relative rookie and has no experience of Championship level or above as a manager. Has a decent relationship with MK Dons hierarchy. If Albion are to appoint a relative rookie then Di Matteo falls behind McInnes and Irvine surely?

SEAN O'DRISCOLL
FOR: The Wolverhampton-born manager has taken two lower-league sides to promotion and his Doncaster side upset many of the more established clubs last year.
AGAINST: Would be walking into a high-pressure job at The Hawthorns and may lack the kudos of some other candidates.

PAUL INCE
FOR: Decent lower-league record at MK Dons after reasonable start at Macclesfield and his name still carries a lot of weight in the game.
AGAINST: That spell at Ewood Park. Training methods and man-management were hugely criticised by players.

ADIE BOOTHROYD
FOR: A bizarre favourite among many bookmakers although he has a major ally in Dan Ashworth (Albion's Sporting and Technical Director) on the club's board. Still lives locally. Seems re-energised following his low-key final few months at Watford.
AGAINST: Style of football wouldn't be appreciated by Albion fans and he didn't leave his Baggies' academy post on the best of terms, to put it mildly. Unlikely to be considered unless previous tensions have eased.

OVERSEAS MARKET
FOR: Albion's tiered structure, with Dan Ashworth as Sporting and Technical Director, lends itself to a foreign coach. West Ham have proven that it can work as have Reading, to some degree. It would mean Albion replacing Mowbray with, effectively a 'head coach'. Don't rule this option out - it has been discussed in the past.
AGAINST: Overseas coaches are a risk at the best of times. Even some of the reasonably successful names in world football (Scolari, Ramos) have struggled in English football.

Enjoy the next few days of speculation. I'm off on annual leave. But remember to check out the Birmingham Mail for all the latest news on Albion's managerial saga. See you soon.