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Gareth Barry and James Morrison's West Brom futures down to new manager

Talks planned with Danny Cowley and Chris Hughton over head coach role

 during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and West Ham United at The Hawthorns on September 16, 2017 in West Bromwich, England.
Image: Gareth Barry, 38, has not been offered a new West Brom deal

West Brom have chosen not to offer Gareth Barry and James Morrison new contracts, but the club's next head coach will have "final say" on their futures.

Midfielders Barry, 38, and Morrison, 32, were not included on the club's retained list published on Friday, three days after the play-off semi-final defeat to Aston Villa.

Goalkeeper Boaz Myhill, 36, was also not offered a new deal.

But all three players could yet have a future at West Brom, if the club's new head coach wants them.

"They've been great pros," said technical director Luke Dowling. "They're at an age and stage in their careers where we have to offer them contracts by the third Saturday in May, it's the rules and regulations. We have to do that with any out-of-contract player.

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"But the door won't be completely shut to them because we'll wait for me to have a conversation with the new head coach to see if he would like them to be part of his plans next season. If he does then negotiations will start if they haven't signed for another club."

Hughton, Cowley set for talks

Chris Hughton
Image: Chris Hughton will have talks with West Brom, after being sacked by Brighton

Chris Hughton will have talks with West Brom about taking over as head coach, Sky Sports News understands, after it was confirmed caretaker boss James Shan will not continue to lead the first-team.

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Albion are also understood to be keen to talk to Lincoln manager Danny Cowley, but a final shortlist of candidates has yet to be finalised.

Dowling insisted plans for a "second assault" on promotion back to the Premier League are already well underway, with appointing the role of head coach the first priority.

Chris Brunt of West Brom during the Sky bet Championship match between West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City at The Hawthorns on March 29, 2019 in West Bromwich, England.
Image: Chris Brunt will be at West Brom for a further year

The incoming boss will be able to call on the services of captain Chris Brunt for another year, after the option of a 12-month extension to his deal was triggered.

"If we, as we are planning, go with a younger first-team squad next season, Chris is a figure all of them will appreciate being around for guidance on and off the pitch," said Dowling.

Midfielder Wes Hoolahan and defender Tyrone Mears have also been released after their season-long contracts came to an end.

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