Former West Bromwich Albion manager Slaven Bilic has shared some insight on his time at the Hawthorns and guiding the Baggies to promotion back to the Premier League.
The West Midlands club were relegated to the Championship at the end of the 2017/18 campaign, but it took just two seasons of second-tier football before the side climbed back to the top flight with Bilic at the helm.
Unfortunately for the Croatian, he was relieved of his duties less than three months into the new season, following a 1-1 draw with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, with the side sitting second-bottom in the Premier League.
The decision from the board seemed harsh, especially considering West Brom were automatically promoted the season prior by finishing second in the championship with the third-best defense in the league and the joint-second most potent attack.
The former Watford CEO said that the COVID-19 disruption “spoiled” the celebration a little, but he still had good recollections from his stay at the Hawthorns.
The 55-year-old said, in an interview with Coaches’ Voice [quoted via West Brom News]:
“West Brom is a huge team with significant local value. Your life’s worth is contingent upon your performance, and you owe those people an obligation. But I really did enjoy it.
Thankfully, it worked out for West Brom throughout the 2019–20 season. We performed well on the pitch, and Leeds and I finished in the top two. Even if there were still more pressing issues in the world, COVID somewhat ruined it when it arrived.
“We got promoted, but it wasn’t with the full crowd and everything. Still, I am proud of that promotion and that we achieved it for the West Brom fans. The championship is tough, but being a part of it puts a smile on my face.”
Writer’s Opinion
In retrospect, the board may have made the wrong choice in firing Bilic because the Baggies were demoted under Sam Allardyce at the end of the season, even though it looked cruel at the time.
Carlos Corberan may follow in the footsteps of the Croatian head coach, who is the only one to lead the team back to the Premier League.
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