‘You can tell he’s managed at the top level’ – Johnstone raves about Slaven Bilic
West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has paid tribute to manager Slaven Bilic, saying he has inspired confidence into the squad since his arrival in the summer.
Bilic, with the help of sporting director Luke Dowling, transformed Albion’s squad of underachievers, loanees and ageing players over the summer after they missed out on promotion last term under Darren Moore and Jimmy Shan.
Introducing the likes of Matheus Pereira on a loan-to-buy deal, Semi Ajayi, Charlie Austin, Darnell Furlong and Romaine Sawyers, as well as additional loan deals for Callum Robinson and Grady Diangana, have proven to be a hit.
Johnstone was brought in by Moore after Albion were relegated in 2018 and were pretty much forced into selling Ben Foster to Watford.
He is clearly having the time of his life playing under the Croatian manager.
“It’s great playing under Slav,” Johnstone told Albion’s official website. “He’s so calm and gives us all confidence to go out and play to get the job done.
“Even when we had our tough spells he says what’s needed to be said and then it’s onto to the next training session, the next game and you can tell he’s managed at the top level.”
West Brom fans have been forced to endure some pretty terrible managers in the 21st century but you have to say that on the evidence seen so far, Bilic is up there with the best.
Can he be put on the same pedestal as someone like Gary Megson, Tony Mowbray or Roy Hodgson in the future?
It remains to be seen but it certainly seems he could be.
In other West Brom news, there’s been a worrying report about what voiding the season could do to Albion’s finances.