Steve Bull concerned lack of money could put Chris Wilder off West Brom
Former West Brom and Wolves player Steve Bull thinks Guochuan Lai would not back Chris Wilder and that could prevent the manager joining Albion.
The former Sheffield United boss has been mooted as a possible replacement for Sam Allardyce [Daily Star], whose future is unclear.
However, Bull believes Wilder may want a few months out of the game after an intense five-year spell at Sheffield United which ended acrimoniously.
Speaking to Football FanCast, he said, “Chris Wilder probably could but I think it would be the same situation as at Sheffield United because they’ve got no resources and no money. Would the chairman back him? I don’t think so.
“I think Chris Wilder has been in management now so he probably wants to have a six-month rest and charge his batteries up.
“He’ll want to get the zest back in him and then Chris Wilder will be out there again soon.”
Bull raises a big issue and it is one that could have a big impact on who is in The Hawthorns dugout next season.
Big Sam will want a healthy budget to revamp the squad as a number of signings will be necessary due to the players we will lose.
And Allardyce has often had spending power at his previous clubs, particularly at Everton and Crystal Palace.
Wilder, too, spent a lot at the Blades last summer and ended up falling out with chairman Price Abdullah over finances, amongst other things.
Like Allardyce, he is bound to want the freedom to sculpt the squad in his image but he could find himself restricted by Lai.
The Albion owner spent barely anything in January despite our perilous position and could decide to cash in on big assets like Sam Johnstone and Matheus Pereira.
As a result, joining Albion in the summer may not appeal to many managers, particularly those with successful track records in the Premier League like Wilder and Allardyce.
In other West Brom news, one forgotten Baggie could become a key player next season.
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