Tony Pulis will be confirmed as West Brom's new head coach by the weekend, according to widespread reports.
The former Stoke and Crystal Palace manager is set to replace Alan Irvine, who was sacked by the Baggies on Monday.
Pulis is expected to sign a two-and-a-half year contract at The Hawthorns and will be in the stands for the Baggies' New Year's Day trip to West Ham.
The 56-year-old is also happy to work within the current set up which has former Wimbledon boss Terry Burton as technical director and Richard Garlick as the director of football administration.
Pulis will be Albion's fourth head coach in just over 12 months since Clarke was sacked in December 2013.
Tim Sherwood also held detailed talks about the post but has lost out for the second time after first being interviewed for the role after Pepe Mel left in May.
Irvine was sacked after just 198 days in charge following a run of seven defeats in nine games which has left the Baggies 16th in the Premier League.
Information from the Press Association was used in this report.