West Brom braced for approach from Valencia for Carlos Corberan

West Bromwich Albion are bracing themselves for an official approach from Valencia for head coach Carlos Corberán.

Valencia have identified Corberán as their No 1 target after sacking Rubén Baraja and are expected to open talks with the Championship club in the next 24 hours.

Corberán has emerged as one of the most highly regarded operators outside the Premier League and has a release clause in his contract worth more than £3 million.

Southampton and Wolves have considered the Spaniard in recent weeks but it now appears that Valencia are primed to make a move.

Corberán was born in Cheste, a municipality in the Valencian community, and has admirers among the hierarchy at the La Liga club.

He first established himself in England working under Marcelo Bielsa before guiding Huddersfield Town to the Championship play-off final in 2022.

A brief spell with Olympiacos followed before West Brom appointed him in October that year.

Last season he led Albion to a play-off semi-final despite working under restrictions during the tenure of former owner Guochuan Lai.

West Brom are currently seventh in the Championship, outside the play-off positions on goal difference.

They return to action on Boxing Day with a trip to Derby County, but an approach from Valencia is expected before then.

Valencia sacked club legend Baraja on Monday after a disappointing first half to the season, with the club 19th in La Liga.

After West Brom’s win over Bristol City on Sunday, Corberán hit out at a festive fixture list in which his team play five games in 14 days.

He said: “It is a physical disadvantage. It is madness. Playing against a team at this time of the season who have had two days’ more recovery is unfair. We cannot say we aren’t going for results. It’s my responsibility but it’s too much.

“Five games in a row. We shouldn’t have played on Sunday, knowing the games coming. We should have played Saturday, like the other Championship teams. We have only three days in between and it will be difficult from the physical perspective.”