Following Slaven Bilic sack, Sam Allardyce has been appointed as West Brom Manager

Just hours after the sacking of Slaven Bilic, Sam Allardyce was appointed West Bromwich Albion’s new boss.

Reports emerged late last night that after potentially securing his club’s best result of the season with a 1-1 draw at Manchester City, the Croatian was set for the chop.

The Etihad draw looked like Bilic, who had seen his side lose five of their last six matches, had eased considerable pressure.

But after the 52-year-old became the first Premier League managerial victim of the season earlier in the day, West Brom acted quickly.

After 11 months in charge, Allardyce has been out of work since leaving Everton in 2018, but is back in the big time with the challenge of keeping the Baggies in the division.

In the top flight, the Premier League veteran took charge of Bolton, Blackburn, Newcastle, West Ham, Sunderland, Crystal Palace and the Toffees.

Before resigning following charges of malpractice, he also had a short spell as England’s manager.

Next up for West Brom on Sunday is a Midlands derby clash with Aston Villa, before a trip to champions Liverpool on the 27th.

The club’s final outing of their year is at Leeds United’s home.

With the visit of Arsenal and a trip to rivals Wolves – with a cup tie against Blackpool sandwiched in between – 2021 doesn’t start any easier.

Last summer, Bilic led the club to promotion and was adamant that he could hold them up amid early struggles, but lost the club owners’ trust.

After managing only one win all season, West Brom is still one place off the bottom, but the patience of the club’s owners inevitably ran out.

Dean Računica and Danilo Butorović, Baggie’s assistant coaches, and Julian Dicks, the first-team coach, have left the club with immediate effect.

In a brief Wednesday morning statement, West Brom thanked the men for their service.