Ally McCoist's bold West Brom prediction can happen if Corberan clamour eases: View | OneFootball

Ally McCoist believes West Brom will win promotion to the Premier League next season.

West Bromwich Albion will be hoping to challenge for promotion from the Championship once again next season.

It was an excellent campaign for the Baggies this season as they finished fifth in the table, but they suffered heartbreak as they missed out on promotion in the play-offs.

Albion drew 0-0 with Southampton at The Hawthorns in the semi-final first leg, but they were comfortably beaten 3-1 by the eventual play-off winners in the second leg at St Mary's.

Despite that disappointment, there is plenty of optimism among Baggies supporters that their side will be among the promotion contenders again next season, particularly following Shilen Patel's takeover of the club.

There has been some uncertainty over the future of head coach Carlos Corberan this summer, but the Spaniard looks set to remain at the club, and many will expect Albion to have another strong season under his guidance.

Ally McCoist issues West Brom promotion prediction

Pundit Ally McCoist is certainly confident about the Baggies' chances next season, and he predicted that Albion would be one of the three teams promoted to the Premier League, along with Leeds United and Luton Town.

Speaking to Football League World, McCoist said via TalkSPORT BET: "I’d firstly go with Leeds. I think they’ll kick on from the disappointment of the playoff final defeat.

"They could easily drop off, but I don’t think they will – their support won’t allow it. I can see them getting promoted."

"I don’t see Sheffield United coming back up, but I would love to see Luton Town get promoted again.

"I know they got relegated, but out of the clubs that went down last season, I thought they were the ones that gave it a real go.

"Burnley and Sheffield United never really got going, but every time teams would face Luton, they’d know they were in a game. If they can keep that spirit and that siege mentality that they’ve got at home, I think they can go up as well. I’d love to see them do it – I know they went down last year, but I enjoyed the level of performances.

"I’m expecting a more consistent challenge from West Brom next season, to be honest with you. They were another team who were on the periphery a little bit, and I think they can dig a bit deeper and go one further next season.

"If you were to put me in a corner, I’d say West Brom, Luton and Leeds."

It is difficult to disagree with McCoist that the Baggies will be among the promotion candidates in the Championship next season, but they may only be able to fulfil his prediction if they keep hold of Corberan.

Albion were sitting in the Championship relegation zone when Corberan replaced Steve Bruce in October 2022, and he has done an outstanding job to transform his side into one of the best teams in the division.

Corberan's work at The Hawthorns has not gone unnoticed, and he was reportedly on Leicester City's list of targets to replace Enzo Maresca this summer following his departure to Chelsea.

However, Leicester have instead appointed former Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper, with Corberan's £4 million release clause said to have been too expensive for the Foxes.

Baggies supporters will have been hugely relieved to see Cooper take over at the King Power Stadium as the opportunity to manage in the Premier League may have been tempting for Corberan, but he could still depart this summer.

Corberan is believed to be on the radar of Burnley as they search for a new manager following Vincent Kompany's move to Bayern Munich, but a host of other names have been linked with the vacancy at Turf Moor, including the likes of Frank Lampard, Scott Parker and Ruud van Nistelrooy.

The Clarets will have one of the strongest squads in the Championship next season and they have vast financial resources, so they could be an attractive proposition for Corberan, but he does not seem to be a front-runner at this stage.

As well as retaining Corberan, Patel must ensure he proves him with backing in the transfer market this summer if Albion are to be competitive next season.

All of the Baggies' seven signings last season were loans or free transfers, and while Corberan did a remarkable job to lead his side to the play-offs on a limited budget, he cannot continue to perform miracles.

As McCoist says, Albion also need to show more consistency if they are to maintain a promotion challenge next season, and their poor form towards the end of the campaign was a cause for concern.

The Baggies won just two of their final eight league games, and they produced two underwhelming performances against Southampton in the play-offs, so they must rediscover their form in time for the start of the new season.

It is understandable why McCoist believes Albion will be promoted next season, and if they can keep Corberan and make the necessary upgrades to the squad this summer, his prediction could be proven right.