Baggies in talks with duo

Sky Sports sources understand Claudio Ranieri and Ray Wilkins have held talks with West Bromwich Albion regarding the club's managerial vacancy.

Ranieri and Wilkins are options to replace Hodgson

Sky Sports sources understand Claudio Ranieri and Ray Wilkins have held talks with West Bromwich Albion regarding the club's managerial vacancy. Roy Hodgson's recent appointment as England coach has left West Brom searching for a new boss and several names have been linked with the position. Birmingham manager Chris Hughton has been a long-standing favourite for the Hawthorns post, but the Baggies are keen to assess all available options. Reports have suggested that Hughton remains the club's preferred choice, but that talks have taken place with candidates who are currently out of work. Wilkins has been out of coaching since November 2010 when he was relieved of his role as assistant manager to Carlo Ancelotti at Chelsea. The 55-year-old has managerial experience in his own right at Queens Park Rangers and Fulham as he looks for a return to the game. Another West Brom contender with a Chelsea connection is Ranieri, who is reported to have flown in to London on Thursday to hold talks with Baggies chairman Jeremy Peace. Ranieri spent almost four years in charge at Stamford Bridge, but was replaced by Jose Mourinho in 2004 at the end of Roman Abramovich's first season as Chelsea owner. The Italian has subsequently gone on to coach the likes of Valencia, Parma and Juventus before he left Inter Milan in March after just six months in the job.