Fail to prepare, prepare to fail.
That’s the old adage which could come home to roost for two of Leeds United’s potential promotion rivals next season.
West Brom, Middlesbrough and Swansea City look set to head into the second week of June without a first-team manager.
With most clubs’ players set to return from their holidays before the month is out, preparations for next term are well underway for most Championship sides.
The Baggies, however, have been without a permanent boss since sacking Darren Moore on March 9, three months ago.
James Shan stepped into the breach for the remainder of the campaign, but won’t lead the side forward next season after missing out on promotion in the play-offs.
Meanwhile, Victor Orta and Marcelo Bielsa are already scouring the globe for new recruits, as they bid to go one step better after missing out on a place in the top flight.
Promotion is often decided on fine margins and this early head start could prove pivotal when the table is finalised next May.
With that in mind, we’ve taken a quick look at the situation at each of the manager-less sides and who could be the next man in the hot seat.
West Brom
Most supporters, pundits and even some players were left baffled by the club’s decision to sack Moore, with the club sat 4th in the division at the time.
However, three months down the line and the position still remains very much vacant.
A host of managers have been linked with the post. Originally, Slaviska Jakanovic looked set to fill the breach, but that deal fell through, with Shan remaining in charge.
Over the summer, Chris Hughton, Slaven Bilic and Lee Bowyer have all been linked with the post, with the former Brighton boss remaining 1/5 favourite for the job.
Beyond those names, Bruno Labbadia and Michael Appleton have both flirted with the role, although they’re now out at 10/1 and 12/1 outsiders.
Given the length of time this appointment has taken, the pressure on the board to get it right is growing by the minute.
Middlesbrough
Former fan favourite Jonathan Woodgate remains the bookies’ favourite to take over at the Riverside Stadium, following Tony Pulis’ departure.
Despite having no prior experience as a manager, the former defender could follow in the footsteps of Frank Lampard by cutting his teeth in the Championship.
Like every other second-tier job, Jokanovic is amongst the front runners for the role, at 5/1. Barnsley manager Daniel Stendel (8/1), John Terry (10/1) and Portuguese boss Jorge Simao (12/1) make up the list.
After ditching Gary Monk for Pulis’ tried and tested ways, which failed to bring promotion, Steve Gibson appears to be looking for a younger, more youthful approach, once again.
Swansea City
It’s been a tough close season for the Swans.
They lost their manager, Graham Potter, to Brighton and Hove Albion and are set to see their star player, Dan James, head to Manchester United.
Captain Leroy Fer, Wayne Routledge, Nathan Dyer and Martin Olsson have also left the Liberty Stadium as the club continue to cut their cloth.
Sheffield United are also rumoured to be sniffing around top-scorer Oli McBurnie, to make matters worse.
So, not exactly the ideal environment for a new boss, which may explain why the favourites are a little left field.
England Under-20 boss Steve Cooper is the current favourite at 1/1. Lee Bowyer (3/1), former Southampton, Stoke and Queens Park Rangers assistant Mark Bowen (9/1) and Cameron Toshack make up the rest of the shortlist.
Given the controversial tac of the unpopular American owners, they could easily spring a surprise with their next appointment.
