Slaven Bilic became the first Premier League manager to be sacked this season as West Brom took a tough step in an effort to get out of the relegation zone.
Sam Allardyce is the main contender to fill the vacancy, and West Brom believes the 66-year-old could point to a club in safety due to his experience and expertise. Allardyce, originally from Dudley, has managed seven Premier League clubs and has never been ruled out. He was expected to host a tea program on TalkSport on Wednesday but withdrew from the event.
Club’s Statement And Position
The team confirmed the decision to expel Bilic in a statement. “West Bromwich Albion have today parted company with head coach Slaven Bilic. Assistant coaches, Dean Racunica and Danilo Butorovic, and first-team coach Julian Dicks have also left the club with immediate effect.
“Currently the Baggies are 19th in the Premier League table with seven points from 13 games. Albion would like to thank Slaven and his coaching staff for their efforts to secure promotions last season and wish them well in the future. ”
The timing of the decision is astounding as it came after Tuesday’s spectacular 1-1 draw at Manchester City, where West Brom showed defensive qualities they did not have much of the season. However, the board has clearly ruled that development is unlikely to stay under Bilic, whose relationship with the club’s elite has been strained for months.
The situation is overshadowed by uncertainty about the group’s owner, Lai Guochuan, who is reportedly determined to reduce or even end his involvement.
Bilic’s Dilemma
Bilic was offered a small transfer fund after winning the promotion, with the first £ 20m used to strengthen the squad in preparation for a Premier League campaign that could have been a battle against demotion. The manager expressed his displeasure in October when defender Ahmed Hegazi was sold out against his will and against the guarantee he had been given. The two employers Bilil had asked so hard for, Branislav Ivanovic and Karlan Grant, had not yet shown their value.
West Brom, who have won once in the league, are only two points from 17th place but the key to their survival will be the level at which they are determined to support Bilic’s transfer by investing in January.
More About Him
Slaven Bilić born 11 September 1968) is a Croatian professional football manager and former player.
Bilić, who played as a defender, began his career in 1988 with his hometown club Hajduk Split, later having successful spells with Karlsruher SC in Germany, and West Ham United and Everton in England before retiring from active football in 2001. At the international level, Bilić served as one of Croatia’s most consistent defenders during the tenure of coach Miroslav Blažević, earning 44 caps between 1992 and 1999, and playing in UEFA Euro 1996 and the 1998 FIFA World Cup, helping the team to the third place at the latter tournament.
