Lewis Cox comment: West Brom will always be grateful for 'King' Carlos Corberan

And for that he should be remembered very fondly.

When the sands of time settle and supporters reflect deeper on the last two-and-a-bit years, Corberan will go down as one who very much kept Albion afloat and sailing forward in the choppiest waters.

There can be few out there who would begrudge Corberan a move to Spanish giants Valencia - as is now expected with the La Liga side set to meet a release clause with personal terms not thought to be an issue.

The 41-year-old is a Valencian. He used to be a proud member of the club's academy. His family still live in the region and were affected by the devastating recent floods.

Corberan did not grow up a Valencia fan but he has referenced them in press conferences, even within the last month or so as a giant of the game to have fallen on hard times. They have never been too far from this football-mad head coach's mind.

Bilkul Football WBA, Albion's new owners, have been huge supporters and admirers of Corberan since their £60million takeover from Guochuan Lai in February. They had steadfast commitment to his methods and fierce, driven ambition. His passion and intensity will be tough to replace.

Baggies fans will see a head coach moving to a continental giant - one second-bottom of La Liga - and know he has earned a big step. He has worked amid seriously trying times at The Hawthorns, all while representing the club admirably.

Corberan's football was not 100 per cent popular with the entire fanbase. Some wanted more quicker, dynamic, attacking. But he took a squad - and club - on its knees and lifted them to the brink of the play-offs and then to the semi-final. All while finances tightened, both pre and post-takeover.

There will be very little, if any, ill-will from this deal - as much as it will pull on the heartstrings to watch the Spaniard depart midway through a Championship campaign. On a personal note, Corberan will be missed in the media. His respect to the regular local press was unwavering. He would answer any question as best he could in his second tongue, with which he could command a room. Only on Monday the Spaniard dished out Christmas chocolates to the locals. He was classy.

There is very little shock, either. Recent links have been incessant. It felt like it was coming. Leicester would have hurt. Southampton more so. Wolves would have been almost unthinkable. This does feel slightly easier.

More often than not there is no smoke without fire. Corberan has representatives, those high-up in media circles, over here as well as in Spain and behind the scenes it is understood they were working to get their man a move all of the party felt the head coach deserved. Corberan's stock is high in the world of football. It took a dent in recent months - but he is still set to take over at the Mestalla, one of the great cathedrals of Spanish football.

The challenge, chiefly due to financial fair play rules, was only getting steeper. Future accounts will testify to that.

The former Leeds and Huddersfield man had Albion leading the Championship six games into the season. The form of late has not been faultless and things were not as cheerful behind the scenes. A series of stalemates led to frustration in the dressing room, at an inability to turn draws into wins.

Preston away recently was a low point. As reported the head coach was upset at full-time. Jeers from some of the away end cut deep.

Corberan was appointed at The Hawthorns to a second-bottom Albion. He finds Valencia in the same position in La Liga.

Which brings us on to the timing of the whole episode.

It is a desperate Christmas present for Albion and their supporters. When Southampton - who felt like the more realistic English destination - appointed Ivan Juric last week supporters wondered if links and speculation may settle for a while.

But no. As soon as Valencia were mentioned, with their might and close-to-home pulling power, it felt like the end was nigh.

Never mind Christmas Day. Albion had just started five games in 14 days. This was a time when, as Corberan said himself the other day, consistency would be very difficult. Now it feels impossible.

Bilkul are left with the big decision at their door. Their first significant footballing one of the ownership. Chairman Shilen Patel, Ashish Patel and Andrew Nestor will earn their corn over the next few weeks with where the Baggies turn to next.

There are some rather attractive names out there, some out of work, some have previous Baggies links. Corberan was a huge appointment for this club two years ago, when the Championship trapdoor down to League One loomed.

In a big part thanks to Corberan and his meticulous work, there is a promising side there for the next man to inherit.

Albion could not dream of winning promotion when Corberan was appointed in October 2022 - but the Spaniard almost managed it. Albion can win promotion this season. The squad is there, the first half of the season has been largely encouraging. Things are in place.

The club will progress over the years ahead under Bilkul, as financial pressure ease, and that is the main thing. But King Carlos' part in the piece should never be overlooked.