Sam Allardyce confirmed as new West Brom manager

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 2 min read

West Brom have confirmed that Sam Allardyce will take over duties as manager at the Hawthorns.

The former Bolton and England boss has signed an 18-month contract with the Baggies following the sacking of Slaven Bilic on Wednesday.

The Croatian departed, despite a scoreless draw against Manchester City away from home on Tuesday. The result left WBA second bottom of the Premier League, having won seven points from 13 games this season.

Allardyce, meanwhile, has been out of work since leaving Everton in 2018. The Toffees finished eighth in the standings, but their unappealing style saw him depart.

“West Bromwich Albion are delighted to confirm the appointment of Sam Allardyce as the club’s new Head Coach,” a statement from his club reads.

“The experienced boss, who has 512 Premier League games to his name, arrives at Albion with his long-time assistant, Sammy Lee.

“The Dudley-born manager returns to The Hawthorns more than 30 years after starting his coaching career with the Baggies under former boss Brian Talbot in 1989.

“He has now taken the reins at a record eight Premier League clubs, including Bolton Wanderers, West Ham United, Sunderland, Crystal Palace and in his last role, Everton.

“The 66-year-old, who agreed terms on an 18-month contract earlier today, will take training on Thursday in preparation for Sunday’s Premier League fixture against Aston Villa.”

Allardyce has ‘Premier League pedigree’

WBA are confident that Allardyce can dig them out of their predicament.

“In Sam we have a man who has a proven Premier League pedigree with a track record of improving every club he has managed,” sporting and technical director Luke Dowling said.

“We believe and, more importantly, Sam believes we have a group of players that have the quality needed to give the club its best chance of Premier League survival.”

West Brom are currently two points behind 17th-placed Burnley but have played two additional games.