‘That wouldn’t be a bad shout’ – Exclusive: Phillips backs idea for new deal for Bilic
We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…
Kevin Phillips believes it would be a good idea for West Brom to offer a new contract to Slaven Bilic in light of more speculation about his future.
Fenerbahce have been linked with hiring Bilic to replace Ersun Yanal for some time now and last week, Turkish news outlet Sabah reported that the Istanbul giants have opened talks in a bid to snap up the Baggies boss.
Sabah even claimed that Bilic, formerly in charge of Besiktas, would be open to return to Turkey now that Fenerbahce are keen on him.
Phillips has backed the idea for West Brom to offer fresh terms to Bilic to ward off Fenerbahce’s interest but he admits that could be difficult in the current climate.
“Yes, that wouldn’t be a bad shout,” Phillips told West Brom News when asked if the club should offer a new deal to Bilic. “With the position all the clubs are in at the moment with the financial situations, people being furloughed and deferrals, that might be why clubs aren’t discussing new contracts with anyone.
“From my experience, when things don’t tend to go away, there’s always something in it.
“But first and foremost, we want to get this season finished.”
Phillips may believe that Fenerbahce’s interest warrants a new deal for Bilic but we don’t because surely the Baggies boss would turn down any advances from the Turkish club.
West Brom will be closing in on promotion to the Premier League once the season is back underway so why would Bilic quit that now to join seventh-placed Fenerbahce?
In other West Brom news, Charlie Austin has said who he thinks is the best player in the EFL.