Exclusive: West Brom tipped to sack Bilic within 24 hours by ex-Baggie if they lose v Newcastle
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 West Brom are likely to sack Slaven Bilic by the end of the weekend if they lose to Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Saturday.
Bilic, 52, has found himself under immense pressure to keep his job at The Hawthorns after a desperately poor start to the Premier League season.
As it stands, West Brom are 19th in the table with just one win from their opening 11 fixtures.
Albion are also struggling massively at both ends of the pitch with them having the third-worst goalscoring record while also conceding the most goals.
After the capitulation at home against Crystal Palace last week, the Mirror reported that Bilic faces a fight to save his job in the Black Country and that Lee Bowyer has been earmarked as a potential replacement in charge.
Ex-Baggies striker Phillips claims that a defeat against COVID-stricken Newcastle could see the Albion hierarchy drop the axe on Bilic.
When asked if a defeat to Newcastle will lead to Bilic’s job being on the line, Phillips told West Brom News: “Yes. I’ve always said I don’t like seeing managers lose their jobs but unfortunately, the business we’re in is a results-driven industry and the results simply haven’t been good enough this season.
“The football hasn’t been exciting as it was last year. Obviously, you’re coming up against better quality teams but to lose the game in the manner they did at the weekend and concede the way they conceded, Slaven will know he’s under pressure.
“It’s a tough match to go into at the weekend, away to Newcastle. They’ve had a nice little break and will be fresh and raring to go.
“Bilic will definitely be under pressure if they are beaten fairly comfortably up at Newcastle. I wouldn’t be surprised if the news broke over the weekend that he’d lost his job.”
While Newcastle are set to face West Brom without a number of players due to a COVID-19 outbreak on Tyneside, Albion also have a massive issue of their own as they head to the North-East.
Matheus Pereira’s red card was upheld after an appeal earlier this week, meaning that he’s suspended for the next three matches.
According to stats by WhoScored, no player has averaged more key passes per game [2.3] than the Brazilian in the Premier League this season while he is also joint-first in the squad for dribbles per game alongside Grady Diangana [1.6].
While Pereira’s red card was a harsh one, West Brom’s inability to focus after he made his way down the tunnel was worrying to say the least.
During the 5-1 hammering at the hands of Roy Hodgson’s Palace, you got the sense that the players had lost interest. Heads dropped and Bilic failed to pick them up.
If Mr Motivator can’t motivate then you have to seriously worry about his job.
In other West Brom news, Bilic faces a make or break weekend when the Baggies take on Newcastle.
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