Bilic details further talks with West Brom owners as report claims ‘growing tension’
West Brom manager Slaven Bilic has revealed that he met with the club’s ownership once again to express his disappointment over the departure of Egyptian defender Ahmed Hegazi.
Hegazi departed The Hawthorns earlier this week for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad, despite starting for the Baggies against Burnley a few days previously.
Bilic is understood to be frustrated with the decision by the club to allow him to leave without consultation, with the Daily Mail reporting that there is “growing tension” between the two parties.
The Croatian revealed that he spoke with technical director Luke Dowling and chief executive Xu Ke two days after they drew 1-1 with Brighton and Hove Albion at the AMEX Stadium.
Hegazi was reportedly earning £60,000 a week and has joined Al-Ittihad on loan with a £3m obligation to buy.
“I said what I want to say and it needed to be said,” said Bilic (via the Daily Mail).
“I also said it after the game when we came back to the training ground the day after to the people from the board, from the club, and for me that’s finished.”
Strange situation
In this situation, it is clear that the financial and footballing interests of the club are not aligned.
While Bilic saw Hegazi as a viable first team option, it appears that the club’s hierarchy were open to the opportunity of removing his wages from the books.
Whether this will lead to the Croatian seriously considering his position or not remains to be seen, but it is clear that relations have thawed in recent week, hardly ideal six matches into the new Premier League season.
If there is little to spend this January, as The Athletic’s Steve Madeley suggested earlier this week, the situation could worsen.
A win on the pitch now would be the perfect tonic.
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