Kevin Phillips: Chris Wilder a good fit for 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 was stunned to learn that West Brom haven’t paid compensation for a manager since Roberto Di Matteo in 2009.
According to Sky Sports, out-of-work managers Chris Wilder and Frank Lampard are in contention to replace Sam Allardyce in charge at the Baggies after he announced he’ll be leaving at the end of the season.
It is understood that West Brom’s search for Big Sam’s successor will see them mainly look at unemployed managers in a bid to avoid paying a compensation fee that will be deducted from the transfer budget for the summer.
Albion haven’t poached a manager from another club since Di Matteo’s arrival from MK Dons in 2009 before he won automatic promotion in his first season at The Hawthorns.
Phillips was taken aback when he heard that stat on Sky Sports and that leads him to believe that Wilder or Lampard will be the two leading candidates.
“There are so many managers out there,” Phillips told West Brom News.
“I think Chris Wilder kind of suits it. He’s young to the Premier League. What he did at Sheffield United, taking them up and then that first season [in the Premier League] was incredible.
“Listening to Sky earlier, I can’t believe West Brom haven’t paid compensation for a manager since Roberto Di Matteo so history suggests they’re going to go for someone who’s out of work.
“Wilder suits it. Frank Lampard, would he want to come?
“I’m sure he’d be interested but I’m not saying they should go for Chris Wilder but he sounds like a sound, sensible option.”
Wilder has been out of work since March after mutually agreeing to leave Sheffield United.
He did a wonderful job of winning promotions from League One and the Championship with the Blades before sealing a ninth-placed finish in the Premier League last term.
As for Lampard, he led Derby to the play-off final in his first season in charge at Pride Park before an impressive first season at Chelsea.
He was dismissed by the London club in January.
In other West Brom news, Albion would have to pay £700,000 to hire this manager who’s admired by the board.
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