Report: Pulis to remain at West Brom helm after takeover
The takeover of West Bromwich Albion from a Shanghai-based investment group could mark an exciting era in the club's history, and it's understood that manager Tony Pulis will be the one spearheading the first team for now.
The new ownership group, Yunyi Guokai (Shanghai) Sports Development Limited, is prepared to allow Pulis to continue in his role as it aims to retain the outfit's "stable structure" upon striking a deal Friday, The Guardian's Louise Taylor reports.
Related: West Brom announces sale to Chinese investors
Former chairman and owner Jeremy Peace relinquished his 88 percent stake in the Baggies for "somewhere between £150m and £200m," estimates Taylor, and West Brom now enters a stage in its history where it looks to profit from the vast commercial markets in Asia.
"I am excited and privileged to have the chance to become the new owner of this great club," said consortium chief Guochuan Lai. "My immediate priorities will be to maintain the club's stable structure, respecting its well-run nature and its heritage. I have no intention of changing the club's ethos."
He added: "This historic deal will result in a rapid and significant increase in interest in the club in China, which should lead to attractive commercial opportunities. Meanwhile, the club will be uniquely positioned to take its well-regarded training system to China, helping to identify and develop more talented young players in the future."
Plans are afoot for the senior squad to embark on a preseason tour of China next summer, sparking memories of the 1978 West Brom ranks becoming the first English team to tour the country in modern times. There is also the potential to loan players and coaches to Asia, and to substantially extend its scouting network throughout the continent.
"I believe this deal will enable Albion to build on the strong, sustainable foundations that have been the cornerstone of the club's progress," said the outgoing Peace, whose chairmanship has been succeeded by John Williams, a former chief executive of Blackburn Rovers.
The takeover could inspire a change of approach in the summer transfer window. Diafra Sakho's £15-million transfer from West Ham United reportedly broke down Thursday amid concerns over his fitness, but it's now hoped that the budget could have been boosted by Lai's arrival, meaning a considerably larger pool of talent to choose from.
West Brom begins its 2016-17 Premier League season at Crystal Palace on Aug. 13.