West Bromwich Albion are considering the immediate future of Valerien Ismael.

What's the talk?

That's according to a claim made by Joseph Masi, with the journalist revealing in a recent video for the Express & Star (via West Brom News) that the Albion board are currently in the process of deciding whether or not the 46-year-old is the man they believe can steer the club to promotion this season.

Speaking about the future of the Frenchman, Masi said: "Look, we have to talk about Ismael's future and it's very much up in the air. We don't quite know what is going on. We believe his future is very much under consideration at the very least.

"What we believe is Ismael's future is under serious, serious consideration and I think that is only natural. I think at the vast majority of clubs, he probably would have lost his job, if we're being honest.

"That said – and these are important points – there's a person there, he's a genuine person. He's had a fallout with Sam Johnstone, from what we understand, and probably Robert Snodgrass as well - but, by and large, Valerien Ismael is a good man.

"He's a likeable man and he's respected. He's respected amongst The Hawthorns' hierarchy and he's respected by the people that employ him. It's going to be uncomfortable for them if they have to sit him down and have to relieve him of his duties."

Fans will be buzzing

While it would appear as if Masi has no concrete update on which way Lai Guochuan and the West Brom board are currently leaning on Ismael's future, the news that the Baggies hierarchy are in discussions about the 46-year-old's position is nevertheless sure to have the club's fanbase buzzing.

Indeed, it is clear for all to see that Albion's results in recent months have simply not been good enough, with the Frenchman having guided his side to just three wins in their last 13 Championship fixtures - picking up 13 points from a possible 39 in this run of games.

Furthermore, West Brom's form over their last six games leaves them sitting in 19th place in the second tier form table, and, considering the club have faced teams such as Derby County, Preston North End, Cardiff City and Millwall in this period - all of whom are in the bottom half of the Championship table - it is obvious that something must change if Albion are to maintain a promotion push this season.

And, with West Brom fans making their feelings abundantly clear regarding Ismael's future in a recent poll ran by Football FanCast - with the vast majority stating that they would like to see the 46-year-old sacked if the Baggies fell to defeat against Millwall, which they did - it would very much appear as if The Hawthorn's faithful believe that the factor which needs changing is indeed the Frenchman.

In other news: Major West Brom development finally emerges, it's what fans have been waiting for