View: Unimaginative duo linked with West Brom would be horrible hires if Bilic goes
Slaven Bilic has come under fire in recent weeks as his West Brom side are still winless in the Premier League this season despite playing eight games.
Following this poor run of form some reports have suggested the Croatian’s job is at risk [Mirror] and some names have even been touted as potential replacements.
There are also rumours of discontent behind the scenes with Bilic not happy about Albion’s transfer dealings.
This reached boiling point when Ahmed Hegazi was sold to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad outside of the transfer window after Bilic assured fans that the Egyptian would stay at The Hawthorns.
Both the behind the scenes conflict and the poor run of results in the Premier League mean that Bilic has to turn his side’s season around quickly if he is to avoid the sack.
But after seeing some of the names linked with the managerial role at The Hawthorns, would it really be wise to let a quality coach go?
Lee Bowyer has been linked most prominently with the role [Mirror]. Bowyer is currently in charge of League One outfit Charlton Athletic after he failed to keep them in the Championship last season.
Bowyer is relatively new to management and has only managed one club so it is doubtful he is capable of steering a Premier League club away from a relegation battle.
The former Newcastle midfielder is far from proven as a manager in any regard and while the achievement of getting Charlton promoted to the Championship in 2019 was admirable, the instant relegation proved he has a long way to go before he is ready to manage in the top flight.
The West Brom job is hardly desirable at the moment and if Bowyer is the best manager Albion will be able to attract, they’re better off keeping Bilic.
Another name that has been linked with Bilic’s job is John Terry, albeit those links aren’t as strong.
The Daily Mail reported recently that the Baggies could target the former Chelsea captain if they let Bilic go.
Terry is currently Dean Smith’s assistant at Aston Villa and is yet to find employment as a manager. This speaks volumes about the kind of managers Albion will be able to target in the even of Bilic losing his job.
While the 39-year-old had a very successful playing career Terry also lacks the managerial experience to turn the Baggies’ season around and appointing him would be a huge downgrade on the manager West Brom already have.
Hopefully, after a much-improved performance against Tottenham last time out, the powers that be at The Hawthorns will give Bilic the time he deserves after getting Albion promoted back to the big time.
If the only names the Baggies can attract are of the calibre of Bowyer and Terry, Bilic is certainly Albion’s best bet at staying up this season.
In other West Brom news, Jake Livermore has tipped one of his teammates to go all the way to the top.
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