Luke Dowling bringing in Chris Wilder would be a real coup for West Brom
West Brom bringing in Chris Wilder in the summer would be a masterstroke from Luke Dowling.
The Daily Star report that Wilder is being targeted as a potential replacement for Sam Allardyce, should the Albion boss leave in the summer.
The likes of Michael Appleton [Football Insider] and John Terry [The Liquidator Podcast] have been linked as Big Sam’s potential successor but Wilder is head and shoulders above that duo.
We feel he was harshly sacked by Sheffield United earlier this month as he had guided the club to the Premier League via two promotions.
They also impressed last season and finished ninth on a small budget, so Wilder has proved he can compete in the Premier League.
His achievements at Brammall Lane led Rio Ferdinand to suggest he deserves a statue at the club – that shows how highly Wilder is regarded.
Ferdinand gave a rave review of the manager, telling BT Sport via the Daily Mail, “He’s won the LMA Manager of the Year award, runner up as well in the last two years.
“It speaks volumes of what he’s done. He took over in League One and got them to the Premier League. He almost got them into Europe.
“There will be loads of suitors wanting him to come to their club.”
His last point is quite telling, as a manager being highly sought after highlights how good they are.
Celtic have been linked with Wilder since his departure, too, which shows the pedigree of the 53-year-old [Sheffield United News].
In the last five years, Wilder has won three promotions and has been promoted from each of the top four divisions outside the Premier League.
He built a wonderful team spirit at Sheffield United and got the best out of seasoned pros like Chris Basham and Billy Sharp.
We have a few of those of our own, such as Kyle Bartley, Matt Phillips and Robert Snodgrass.
We are confident that Wilder has a better chance of revitalising their careers than a Terry or an Appleton.
Also, Wilder is an innovative manager and likes to try new things.
His underlapping centre-backs getting forward was a key aspect of his Championship promotion campaign.
He could bring exciting football back to the Hawthorns, therefore, so we are all for Wilder arriving in the summer.
In other West Brom news, Micah Richards has lavished praise on one Albion star.
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