Slaven Bilic: Ex-West Brom manager agrees return to old role with announcement expected

Slaven Bilic is set for his fourth role since leaving West Bromwich Albion.

The Croatian has been on quite the journey since departing The Hawthorns in December 2020, which has taken him from China, back to England, and then to Saudi Arabia.

The 57-year-old has spent time with Beijing Guoan, Watford and Al Fateh FC since leaving the Baggies, and hasn't had much success.

Despite this, Bilic is constantly being linked with a move back to the Albion, with most recent rumours swirling after they sacked Eric Ramsay.

The Black Country Club are now looking forward to a new season with James Morrison at the helm, but no doubt at some point in the future, the same old rumours will circulate once more.

However, that may not be for a while, as Bilic looks set for a return to managing at international level.

Slaven Bilic set for Croatia return

Bilic has not only been linked with a move back to West Brom in recent seasons, but also a return to the Championship.

The manager had his best time in England with West Ham, leading the Hammers close to success at Upton Park, as his dismissal remains controversial.

The same can be said about his departure from the Baggies, who then went on to be relegated from the Premier League in the same season anyway.

However, Bilic is now set for a return to manage his nation Croatia on the international level after reaching an agreement.

Ben Jacobs has reported that an announcement is likely set for Monday, as the coach will return to his old job, having managed Croatia from 2006 through to 2012.

It comes after Croatia parted ways with Zlatko Dalic after being knocked out of the World Cup by Portugal in the Round of 32.

So it looks like Bilic will have his job secured until at least the next Euro campaign, but what are the objectives for Morrison at West Brom?

The objectives James Morrison needs to hit to keep West Brom job

West Brom face an interesting start to the season under Morrison, as all momentum for the end of last campaign has been lost.

The former Baggies player will get the patience and trust of Shilen Patel, with the latter already seen in the early stages of the transfer window.

Albion's business has already indicated that they are at the start of a new process to rebuild, and so promotion will not be a realistic target this season.

However, West Brom's hierarchy will want to see an upward trend that shows Morrison can create a winning culture that plays forward-thinking football, all while developing the young players at the club.

That is simply the minimum for the Albion boss, as if he doesn't show signs of promise, that's when his job could be in trouble.