Kevin Phillips reacts to news West Brom are set to appoint Chris Wilder
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 claims there’s every reason for West Brom fans to be “excited” about Chris Wilder’s imminent appointment as Albion’s next manager.
Mirror journalist David Anderson shared a massive update on Twitter on Thursday when he said: “Barring any late unforeseen hiccups, Chris Wilder will be West Brom’s new manager.”
It is understood that the former Sheffield United boss has been Albion’s first choice to replace Sam Allardyce and that talks are in progress over finalising a deal.
Ex-Baggies striker Phillips is delighted with the news, claiming that fans should be happy wit the type of football their club will play under Wilder’s leadership.
“I think it’s sensible,” Phillips told West Brom News in an instant reaction to Anderson’s huge story.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a no-brainer but it’s almost bordering on a no-brainer.
“He’s out of contract, no compensation needs to be paid, he can come in and get to work straight away without any issues, he’s got experience of getting teams out of the Championship and he had a fantastic first season in the Premier League.
“It’s quite exciting.
“They played a style of football I think the Baggies have seen in recent years. We saw it in Sheffield United’s promotion season and their first season in the Premier League that they played attacking, free-flowing football with lots of player rotation and five at the back.
“There’s every reason to be excited about Chris Wilder’s appointment.”
Wilder has won promotion with all three of the EFL clubs he’s managed, taking Oxford United out of the National League in 2010, winning the League Two title with Northampton in 2016 and then taking Sheffield United up in 2017 and 2019.
Albion want to win promotion back to the Premier League as soon as possible and Wilder is easily the safest pair of hands they could have in that regard.
In other West Brom news, a Manchester United player has sent a message to an Albion ace who’s been linked with a move to Old Trafford.
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