Report: Chris Wilder favourite to replace Big Sam at West Brom
Former Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has been deemed the most likely option to replace Sam Allardyce at West Brom next season.
The Times have said that Wilder is the one heavily linked with the job while the reliable Express & Star have tipped him as the favourite to take over in the summer.
Big Sam, after his side’s 3-1 loss to West Ham on Wednesday, announced that he would not be continuing at the Hawthorns beyond the end of this campaign.
Explaining his reasons for not continuing, he said, via the club’s official website, “West Bromwich Albion made me a generous offer to stay at The Hawthorns that shows the commitment of an ambitious club. After serious consideration I have decided not to accept that offer.
“If I were to stay and achieve promotion next season the expectation would be for me to continue for at least another season and, sadly, that is not a commitment I feel able to make at this stage of my career.
“I believe the club now needs stability and continuity and this would, in my opinion, best be provided by a young and ambitious manager who can get us back to where we should be as an established Premier League football club.”
Wilder would be interesting
The former Sheffield United boss played a unique style of football with overlapping centre-backs, and despite having one of the weaker sides on paper, took the Premier League by storm in their first year back up.
They played with intensity and a fixed philosophy that got the fans excited. It’s been a while since we’ve had a manager playing that kind of free-flowing football in the Premier League.
He’s got a proven track record of rebuilding sides and that is certainly the need of the hour here at The Hawthorns.
His infectious nature would instantly make him a success in the dressing room and the manner he presents himself during post-match interviews has already seen him become a media darling.
Per talkSPORT, Pep Guardiola referred to his side’s organisation as ‘outstanding’ and there’s no better manager in the world than the City boss to receive such high praise from.
It will be interesting to see who we finally get over the line, but early signs are suggesting that it’s going to Wilder.
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