Sam Allardyce is expected to replace Slaven Bilic at West Bromwich Albion but, as Simon Jordan told talkSPORT (16 December, 12am), it is far from guaranteed that the former England manager accepts the job.
Less than 12 hours after a heroic defensive performance in Tuesday’s unexpected 1-1 draw at Manchester City, Bilic was gone.
The popular Croatian guided the Baggies back to the Premier League at the first time of asking last season but lasted just 13 games in the top flight, having been handed his P45 with West Brom winning just once so far in 2020/21.
If reports are to be believed, survival specialist Allardyce is about to be parachuted in as Bilic’s replacement.
The Mail claim that the 66-year-old, who succeeded in saving Sunderland, Crystal Palace and Everton from the drop, will be handed a short-term deal until the summer.
But, with Allardyce previously insisting that he would only consider taking over at clubs with a settled environment behind the scenes, Jordan wonders whether he may be put off by the well-documented divisions that emerged between Bilic and the Baggies board.
“I’m not sure why Allardyce would want to go to West Brom. I don’t understand why it’s a shoo-in that Sam would want to take it,” said the former Crystal Palace owner, adding that the veteran tactician will look to spend big in January if he does take the reins.
“They’ve spent typically what most Championship clubs spend when they go up. They probably are going to go again in January. If you’re going to get Sam in you’re going to go (and spend) again.
“He’s going to come in the door and say that the squad isn’t good enough. He’s going to want £25 – £30 million quid.”
Allardyce took over at Selhurst Park four years ago almost to the day before splashing out around £30 million on Luka Milivojevic, Jeffrey Schlupp and Patrick Van Aanholt the following month.
Inspired by the stunning form of Christian Benteke, Allardyce eventually guided the Eagles to a comfortable 14th-place finish.
Repeat the trick at West Brom and no one will be questioning Bilic’s disposal next May.
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