Ranieri closer to West Brom job

Claudio Ranieri (GETTY IMAGES)

West Bromwich Albion have held a second round of talks with the former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri about becoming Roy Hodgson's successor at the club.

The Italian, sacked by Internazionale in March after barely six months in charge, met with the Albion chairman, Jeremy Peace, and sporting and technical director, Dan Ashworth, on Thursday in London. Ranieri would not cost West Brom any compensation as he is out of work.

However, the club stresses there are other names still in frame for the job. Albion have made contact with Ray Wilkins, while the Birmingham manager, Chris Hughton, is high on the list of the candidates who appeal to Peace. No formal approach has yet been made to the Blues.