Tim Sherwood talks with West Brom break down - Tony Pulis expected to take charge before weekend

The Baggies are seeking a successor to Alan Irvine

Negotiations between West Bromwich Albion and Tim Sherwood over the head coach job have stopped, with Tony Pulis now set to take the vacant position before the weekend.

Sherwood, 45, had a contract offer sent to him by West Brom on Tuesday but no agreement has been reached and talks have ceased. There has been no further offer from the club to the former Tottenham Hotspur manager.

The club’s sporting director Richard Garlick has led the recruitment process for the club. Sherwood and Pulis have been the two lead contenders. Sherwood rejected the job in the summer – before the appointment of Alan Irvine – because he was not happy with the personal terms on offer.

Pulis will now take the role. He had also been in consideration for the vacant Newcastle manager’s position, following Alan Pardew’s departure for Crystal Palace, Pulis’ former club, although sources at St James’ Park insist he had not actually been offered the job. Mike Ashley will consider his options further although he is on holiday in Barbados at the moment.

Tony Pulis is now the favourite (Getty Images)

West Brom are seeking a manager having sacked Irvine earlier this week.

There was huge opposition from fans from the moment Irvine was appointed in June as he was sacked at both his previous clubs, Preston and Sheffield Wednesday. Now Albion are looking for their fourth manager in just over 12 months – following Steve Clarke, Pepe Mel and now Irvine – to try to avoid relegation to the Championship for the first time in five seasons.

Staying up was still possible, according to caretaker manager Rob Kelly. “I work with the players every day. I see the qualities they’ve got. We can survive, absolutely,” he said.

The next match is on New Year's Day at West Ham, with Irvine’s assistants Kelly, Keith Downing and Dean Kiely expected to take charge. Although Downing and Kelly were booed along with Irvine after Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Stoke, Kelly remained upbeat about what the new manager can expect to find.

“It’s a great job, a good job,” he said. “If you’re the manager or head coach of any Premier League club it’s challenging. But they’re good players.”