Former Club Brugge boss Carl Hoefkens was believed to be on on West Bromwich Albion's list as a potential managerial target to replace Carlos Corberan in case he jumped ship to Leeds in February.
Following former Whites manager Jesse Marsch's dismissal last month, speculation surrounded the Elland Road dugout for over two weeks before the board found a suitable replacement in the form of Javi Gracia.
But one of the first names with a strong link to the job was current Baggies boss Corberan, with the Spaniard having previously worked under Marcelo Bielsa when he was Leeds manager.
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However, West Brom managed to tie him down to a new contract just days after the rumours had started to spread, ending all hope of a reunion between the two parties.
But now Belgian outlet Voetbal Niuews is claiming that in those few days, the Baggies were worried about losing Corberan so early into his tenure, and had prepared a backup list of managers if the scenario did arrive.
They believe one of those managers was Hoefkens, who did confess he was hopeful for the future in terms of his managerial career, which hasn't taken off again since his dismissal from Brugge.
"I’ve had offers, yes. But I don’t care," Hoefkens admitted to another Belgian outlet Het Laaste Niuews. "I’m ambitious. I don’t think my future has been damaged by my passage at Club Brugge and I’m certainly looking ahead.
"We’ll see what the future has in store for me."
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