Slaven Bilic keen to echo West Brom success at Watford
Former West Brom boss Slaven Bilic wants to echo his success at the club with Watford, where he was appointed manager this week.
It’s Bilic’s first job in England since he was in charge of the Albion and after a managing stint in China, the former boss wants to emulate his time at West Brom in his new role.
He admitted that he had a “wonderful” season with the Baggies, in which Bilic earned a promotion to the Premier League with the club during the 2019/2020 campaign.
Speaking to the Express and Star, the former Albion boss confessed that he will take courage from his time at The Hawthorns in his new role.
“Before I went to West Brom, when you are planning, they were on the list. This time it was Watford. With West Brom I had a wonderful season, and I’m ready to do it again with Watford,” said Bilic.
“They are appointing me to have success, everyone talks about sacking manager 16, 17, but I am in a good position, they don’t want to sack me, they want me to do good.
“They have a clear ambition and I feel it so far in the early days here. They provide you with what you need and that is important as a manager.”
Test.
The Watford role poses a real test for Bilic in the coming months after two decent spells in England with Albion and West Ham.
The squad are short of confidence, however, they sit just one point from the Play-Off spots, an ideal opportunity for Bilic to come in and sure things up.
If he indeed does draw on his time at the Hawthorns for some inspiration then Watford could be in for a treat, Bilic’s side played some fantastic football during the 2019/2020 campaign.
The Croat is set to work alongside sporting director Giaretta and the two other senior members of the club’s hierarchy, Scott Duxbury and owner Gino Pozzo.
Danilo Butorovic and Dean Racunica will spearhead Bilic’s coaching team in what could be an exciting move for the Hertfordshire-based club.
Time will tell if he can truly emulate his time at the Baggies, but Bilic seems like a shrewd appointment, for now at least.
In other West Brom news, Albion are struggling to sell tickets for a match this weekend with fewer than 10,000 sold.