The Baggies had reportedly identified the former Chelsea scout as their top target to replace Dan Ashworth, who will leave his post at the end of the season.
However, according to Sky Sports News, Hamburg have rejected their initial approach for Congleton.
A number of Premier League clubs are understood to be monitoring proceedings.
Restore Data
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | |
| 1 | Leeds UnitedLeeds | 30 | 18 | 9 | 3 | 60 | 19 | 41 | 63 |
| 2 | Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd | 30 | 19 | 6 | 5 | 41 | 21 | 20 | 61 |
| 3 | Burnley | 30 | 15 | 13 | 2 | 36 | 9 | 27 | 58 |
| 4 | Sunderland | 29 | 15 | 10 | 4 | 42 | 24 | 18 | 55 |
| 5 | Blackburn RoversBlackburn | 30 | 13 | 6 | 11 | 34 | 29 | 5 | 45 |
| 6 | West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom | 30 | 10 | 14 | 6 | 39 | 27 | 12 | 44 |
| 7 | Middlesbrough | 29 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 47 | 36 | 11 | 44 |
| 8 | Norwich CityNorwich | 30 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 49 | 42 | 7 | 42 |
| 9 | Bristol City | 30 | 10 | 12 | 8 | 38 | 35 | 3 | 42 |
| 10 | Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds | 30 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 43 | 46 | -3 | 42 |
| 11 | Coventry CityCoventry | 30 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 41 | 38 | 3 | 41 |
| 12 | Watford | 30 | 12 | 5 | 13 | 40 | 42 | -2 | 41 |
| 13 | Millwall | 30 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 30 | 27 | 3 | 40 |
| 14 | Queens Park RangersQPR | 30 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 33 | 39 | -6 | 38 |
| 15 | Preston North EndPreston | 30 | 8 | 13 | 9 | 33 | 38 | -5 | 37 |
| 16 | Oxford UnitedOxford Utd | 30 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 34 | 44 | -10 | 37 |
| 17 | Swansea CitySwansea | 30 | 9 | 7 | 14 | 32 | 42 | -10 | 34 |
| 18 | Stoke CityStoke | 30 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 28 | 37 | -9 | 32 |
| 19 | Cardiff CityCardiff | 30 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 33 | 51 | -18 | 31 |
| 20 | Portsmouth | 30 | 7 | 9 | 14 | 36 | 52 | -16 | 30 |
| 21 | Hull City | 30 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 31 | 40 | -9 | 29 |
| 22 | Derby CountyDerby | 30 | 7 | 6 | 17 | 32 | 41 | -9 | 27 |
| 23 | Luton TownLuton | 30 | 7 | 6 | 17 | 30 | 49 | -19 | 27 |
| 24 | Plymouth ArgylePlymouth | 30 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 29 | 63 | -34 | 25 |
| > Championship Full Table | |||||||||
