Exclusive: Kevin Phillips delivers verdict on Allardyce’s future at West Brom
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 is unsure about whether West Brom will keep their faith in Sam Allardyce if they are relegated to the Championship this season.
Albion seem nailed-on to return to the second-tier this term with just two wins from 23 Premier League matches.
Allardyce, who replaced Slaven Bilic in charge at The Hawthorns in December, has failed to improve things in the Black Country and, if anything, the side’s form has got worse and worse.
Some fans are already talking about Big Sam being sacked and who the club should try to replace him with.
Speaking exclusively to West Brom News, we asked Phillips whether he thinks it would be wise for the Baggies to stand by the ex-England boss or sack him and find a replacement.
Phillips said: “Trying to read between the lines, the press are going to jump on it straight away.
“It hasn’t worked out, as of yet, for Sam. We were behind him when he went in and thought he was the perfect man for the job but it hasn’t worked so far. If anything, they’ve not improved and it’s been a difficult period for him.
“Naturally, the press are going to jump on it but in terms of what the club do, I think there’s no point in acting yet. They’ll probably have to start planning for life in the Championship next year, whether that’s with Sam or not will remain to be seen. But, naturally, the press will start writing stuff and jumping on the bandwagon.
“Ultimately, the supporters will have a lot to say in it. I will imagine reports haven’t been great so it will be interesting to see what the club decides to do if the next five results aren’t good enough.
“They’ll have one eye next year on the Championship so do they go for someone with more experience of getting clubs out of the Championship? I know Sam did it with West Ham. Or do they stick with him and do you use his experience to jump back out that league? It will be an interesting one to see how that unfolds.”
Time is running out for West Brom and for Big Sam.
If the Albion are relegated, we really cannot see how Allardyce would stay on at The Hawthorns as either he’ll want to walk away or the club will want rid.
There are a number of managers out there who could be seen as a good fit at West Brom but when we’re mathematically relegated – it’s surely a matter of when and not if – there will no doubt be greater clarity on what lies ahead for both the Albion and Big Sam.
In other West Brom news, fans want this 45-year-old manager to replace Sam Allardyce if he’s sacked.
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