Report: West Brom close to Slaven Bilic appointment

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West Bromwich Albion are reportedly set to appoint Slaven Bilic as their next manager, after a deadline for Chris Wilder passed.

According to a report from the Express and Star, Slaven Bilic is closing in on being appointed West Brom’s next manager after the club’s deadline for Chris Wilder to make a decision on his future passed.

The Baggies have been without a permanent manager for several months now following Darren Moore’s departure during the latter stages of the Championship season. Jimmy Shan led the team to the play-off semi-final, but it appears that he is about to hand over the reins to the Croatian.

The Express and Star reports that negotiations with Bilic have progressed and lawyers are now looking over the contracts. The report notes that the former West Ham boss emerged as the favoured candidate during the interview process and is now eager to try and lead the Baggies back to the Premier League.

Interestingly, the Express and Star adds that Sheffield United boss Wilder approached West Brom about being interested in the post if he walked away from Bramall Lane amid a high court battle between the Blades’ co-owners. But the deadline the Baggies gave Wilder to make a decision on his future has since passed.

Is Bilic the right man?

Bilic has the potential to be an incredibly popular figure at the Hawthorns. Despite his West Ham tenure ending in disappointment, he remains a fan favourite at the London Stadium, and did enjoy some success during his first season with the Hammers.

It is not going to be an easy job for the next West Brom boss. The key players that initially stayed following their relegation out of the top flight may well want to move on, and replacing them is not going to be easy.

The Baggies are one of those teams that fans are always going to expect to be in the promotion mix until they finally go up, so Bilic will want to hit the ground running to prove to his doubters that he is the right man to take the club forward.