It's very much out with the old and in with the new at West Bromwich Albion.

Indeed, the method of appointing EFL-seasoned managers in the form of Tony Mowbray didn't go to plan last season, so in a bid to try and secure a promotion this time around, the Baggies have decided on a more left-field approach with ex-Tottenham Hotspur coach Ryan Mason in charge.

He will have his work cut out for him as the restless native Hawthorns masses eye up a fifth straight season in the Championship, desperate to finally be worthy of the elite luxuries of the Premier League.

Mason will find securing promotion straight away to be even harder - away from just his rookie status - when you consider John Swift has now officially exited the West Midlands club, after the long-standing Baggies servant failed to pen a new contract.

Latest on John Swift's future

In keeping with Mason's appointment, bringing in a new era at West Brom, the failed playoff hopefuls from last season are also beginning to get rid of some well-established figures, such as Swift, to try and bring in some fresh blood on the pitch.

At the peak of his powers, the ex-Reading midfielder was a real nuisance for second-tier defences to contain, as seen in his hefty tally of 31 goals and assists for the Baggies.

Still, his powers had begun to noticeably wane, when assessing the visible drop-off in form from the table above, with only three Championship strikes coming his way last season from a measly 49 minutes of action being averaged across those 36 second-tier clashes.

Therefore, letting the 30-year-old go will probably be viewed as the correct move in the long run, even if it means an EFL rival such as Derby County and Stoke City benefit as Swift allegedly begins to hold talks with both the Rams and the Potters.

Still, losing Swift would be instantly forgotten about if the promotion hopefuls were able to win the services of this creative menace for nothing, who knows the EFL like the back of his hand.

The "incredible" star who can replace Swift

Amazingly, the new target on West Brom's agenda actually betters Swift's mammoth total of 335 Championship career appearances.

Indeed, with 374 second tier appearances next to his name and counting, Sheffield Wednesday icon Barry Bannan could well be the ideal replacement for the now departed 30-year-old, with reports revealing late last month that the Baggies - alongside Stoke and Wrexham - were eyeing up the electric Scotsman on a potential free transfer.

A move could soon accelerate into motion for reasons other than Swift no longer being on the Baggies books, however, with Wednesday's precarious financial situation pushing some of the Owls' cream of the crop out of the door, as Bannan is now free to walk away from Hillsborough as a free agent.

Unlike his free agent counterpart, however, Bannan didn't show too many noticeable signs of rust across the 2024/25 campaign in the Championship.

In the end, the "incredible" veteran - as he was once glowingly labelled by teammate Josh Windass - managed to shine out throughout the entire campaign when collecting four goals and five assists across 41 league contests, even as the Owls settled for a middle-of-the-road 12th position in the final standings.

Creating eight big chances from his 41 outings in the taxing division too, as Swift managed to muster up just one, Bannan might just be what West Brom desire now the likes of Swift and Grady Diangana have deserted the building, especially as Mason tries to make a name for himself in such a challenging environment.