Exclusive: Ex-West Brom defender tipped as potential Slaven Bilic successor by pundit
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 Sam Allardyce could be a potential successor for Slaven Bilic if West Brom decide to sack their manager after the 2-1 loss to Newcastle.
Bilic is one of the most under-pressure managers in the Premier League with speculation suggesting he might be axed after the defeat at St James’ Park.
After the 5-1 loss to Crystal Palace last week, the Telegraph reported Bilic was in a fight to save his job and “a heavy defeat by Newcastle could prove the final blow”.
While Newcastle didn’t roll over the Baggies, Steve Bruce’s side was hit by a number of COVID-19 cases and hadn’t played for two weeks against a team that should have been chomping at the bit to respond from the Palace capitulation.
According to the Mirror, West Brom have started looking at possible successors for Bilic and Charlton’s Lee Bowyer is one of them.
However, Phillips believes a battle-hardened Premier League veteran like Allardyce would be a better hire for Albion – even though it may ruffle some feathers among supporters.
“I think you’d have to bring in someone who knows the league and who’s got a history of keeping teams in the league. That’s the priority – West Brom need to stay in the Premier League,” Phillips told West Brom News.
“You look out there at managers who can do that. Sam Allardyce springs to mind straight away. Whether that would go down well with the supporters, I don’t know.”
Allardyce would fit the bill.
The 66-year-old has a track record of keeping teams in the Premier League. He was fantastic at Bolton between 1999 and 2007 and tasted the occasional success at Newcastle, Blackburn, West Ham, Sunderland and Crystal Palace.
He also had a 100 per cent win record in charge of England – before being sacked after one match for his role in corruption in the game.
Allardyce, a former defender, is also someone with past connections to the club having spent a spell as a player-coach for Brian Talbot between 1989 and 1991.
Allardyce is very much seen as a firefighter but if the Baggies were to sack Bilic and go in for him – wouldn’t that be like selling your soul to the devil again?
West Brom fans need no reminder about Tony Pulis.
A lot of supporters lost their love for the Baggies – and for football in general – while the Welshman was in charge due to his hard-to-watch style of play.
Allardyce and Pulis are cut from the same cloth but what’s more important to fans? Staying in the Premier League, or playing good football?
Let’s face it, we look doomed from relegation under Bilic and the football is absolutely horrible to watch at times.
In other West Brom news, fans tore this player to shreds for his performance against Newcastle.
Be sure to follow West Brom News on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on the Baggies and more exclusive interviews with Kevin Phillips.