West Bromwich Albion have fired and hired a manager in the space of a few hours with Sam Allardyce replacing the sacked Slaven Bilic.
Bilic was sacked on Wedensday afternoon despite having guided the Baggies to a brilliant point at Manchester City on Tuesday night.
And just hours later it was confirmed that the Croat has been succeeded by Allardyce.
Allardyce, who will be accompanied by long-time assistant Sammy Lee, has signed an 18-month contract with the Hawthorns outfit as they bid to avoid relegation.
West Brom sit 19th in the Premier League table with seven points from their 13 matches – two points adrfit from safety as of Wednesday afternoon.
Despite the impressive result at the Etihad, a 1-1 draw, West Brom have only won once in the Premier League this season – a 1-0 win against bottom club Sheffield United on November 28.
West Brom sporting and technical director Luke Dowling, said: ‘In Sam we have a man who has a proven Premier League pedigree with a track record of improving every club he has managed.
‘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.’
Allardyce has been out of work since being sacked by Everton in May 2018 after six months in charge. His managerial career includes spells with Bolton Wanderers, Newcastle, Blackburn, West Ham, Sunderland and an ill-fated one-game spell as England boss.
For Bilic’s Wednesday’s sacking brought an end to 18 months in charge of West Brom. The 52-year-old signed a two-year contract when he took over at the The Hawthorns in June 2019, replacing Darren Moore.
He guided Albion to promotion on the final day of last season, as they finished second in the Championship but has struggled in the top flight this term.
Tuesday’s draw at City was 100th and last game in charge of the Baggies.
A club statement thanked Bilic and his coaching staff ‘for their efforts in achieving promotion last season’.
It was also confirmed that his assistant coaches Dean Racunica and Danilo Butorovic have left the club as well as first-team coach Julian Dicks.
