West Brom will step up their search for a successor to Roy Hodgson after he becomes England manager at the end of the season.
Peace wanted Hodgson to sign a new contract
West Brom have confirmed Roy Hodgson will remain as the club's head coach for the remaining two games of the season before they step up their search for a successor.
The 64-year-old on Tuesday afternoon signed a four-year contract at Wembley to become England coach having been involved in talks with the Football Association over the past 48 hours.
Hodgson, whose contract at West Brom was to expire at the end of the season, was given the green-light by his club chairman, Jeremy Peace, to hold discussions and the Premier League side had a contingency plan.
The Baggies are saddened to see their head coach leave after 15 months in charge, but they have also wished the former Liverpool and Fulham boss all the best as they prepare to make progress in their plans for a successor.
Peace said in a statement on West Brom's
official website: "Roy's appointment as England manager is obviously disappointing news for the club as we would have liked him to sign a new contract, which was in the process of negotiation, and remain as our head coach.
"But we understand Roy's desire to take the England job and he will leave us after the Arsenal game on May 13th with our best wishes.
"Of course, with Euro 2012 around the corner, we appreciate that some of Roy's focus over the next 12 days will be on England matters.
Important task
"But we are delighted he will be seeing the season out with us.
"With the help of the coaching staff, he will prepare the team in his usual, meticulous manner as we finish what has already been a successful season.
"The board will now concentrate on the important task of appointing a new head coach to continue our project as we prepare for a third successive season in the Barclays Premier League.
"We did not want Roy to leave and he will be a tough act to follow.
"But I want to reassure our supporters that we will do everything possible to identify and appoint the right head coach for this football club.
"I would also like to thank the FA chairman, David Bernstein, for the sensitive and professional manner in which he has liaised with me in bringing about Roy's appointment.
"Everyone here would like to wish Roy, The FA and England all the best for Euro 2012 and beyond."
