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Slaven Bilic Says He Hopes Sam Allardyce Keeps West Brom Up

Slaven Bilic Says He Hopes Sam Allardyce Keeps West Brom Up

Slaven Bilic has only been out of work for a few weeks but he's already got a new job and hopes his successor succeeds.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Slaven Bilic has magnanimously revealed that he hopes Sam Allardyce keeps West Brom in the Premier League, despite his sacking just weeks ago.

The former West Brom boss got the midlands club promoted back into England's top tier from the Championship last season but only lasted until December 16th, getting sacked after an impressive point against Manchester City.

It's not taken long for Bilic to get a new job, with the former West Ham boss appointed as Beijing Guoan manager on Wednesday morning.

Getting new employment straight away might be part of the reason that the Croat was happy to admit he hopes the Baggies stay up, though you get the feeling those would have been his feelings either way.

Asked if he thinks West Brom will stay up, the 52-year-old told talkSPORT, "I hope they will.

"It will be difficult, but for me the team has changed a lot since the beginning of the season, we were improving a lot, we were competitive in every game and hopefully Sam will continue to do it now.

"The gap is not too big, but the form has to improve. It would be important to bring in a few more players to strengthen the squad."


A draw with Liverpool aside, it's not been a great start for Big Sam. Image: PA Images
A draw with Liverpool aside, it's not been a great start for Big Sam. Image: PA Images

Asked about any bitterness towards the club, the former Everton defender added, "Not at all, I'm not annoyed. And I have to use this opportunity to thank the players, who were brilliant from day one to the last day.

"We've been through great times, through the Championship, got promoted, went through COVID, then to the Premier League where we've had some knock downs, but we never had one single problem with attitudes in the dressing room and on the training pitch, we never lost motivation.

"The players were brilliant and I feel for them now and I want the best for them and the fans.

"Things happen in football, but I will always remember West Brom as a great part of my career, because of the things we achieved in the first year. It was not in our plans to do it [secure promotion] in our first season and it was quite remarkable.

"It will stay in my heart and my mind forever."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics:Β Football News, Big Sam, Sam Allardyce, Slaven Bilic, Premier League, West Brom

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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