‘It is not easy’ – Steve Madeley urges West Brom to make tough decision after loss v Newcastle
The Athletic’s Steve Madeley has urged West Brom to make a swift decision on the future of Slaven Bilic after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Newcastle.
Heading into the game, it was reported by Madeley that the visit to St. James’ Park could make or break for the Croatian and a negative result might spell the end of his time with the Baggies.
Writing for The Athletic in reaction to the defeat, Madeley sent a clear message to the West Brom board, back him or sack him, “Albion have a major decision to make. It is not easy and there are no guarantees that any course of action will not end badly. But the time for doing nothing is fast running out.
“Bilic’s contract expires at the end of this season and there been no discussions about a new deal and no indications that Albion plan to start them. Relations between the club and their head coach have deteriorated to the point where negotiations would be incredibly tricky.”
Time to make a decision
If reports are to be believed, this was a must-win game for Bilic and the defeat means that his departure could be seen as inevitable.
However, it has since been reported that the club have scheduled the manager’s press conference as normal ahead of the game against Manchester City on Tuesday night.
The rapid turnaround of this Christmas period could work in Bilic’s favour and keep him in the job.
It would be hugely unfair to judge him based on one result against Manchester City too, so perhaps that could signal that he is being given time by the Baggies board.
The club can take some hope from the way they thought back in the second half against Newcastle, but the Baggies were ultimately undone by too many individual errors.
As per WhoScored, the away side had 13 efforts on goal, but 69% of those shots were taken from outside of the penalty area, with Bilic’s side failing to seriously threaten Karl Darlow.
In other West Brom news, Some West Brom fans slam ‘useless’ actions of Baggies players against Newcastle
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