SLAVEN TOPS BIL.. DESPITE SNUBBING ME
CHRIS BRUNT says West Brom have a top boss in Slaven Bilic – even though he hardly picked him.
Baggies legend Brunt has been restricted to just seven appearances off the bench in his farewell season.
But the 35-year-old leaves the club as a free agent with nothing but praise for Bilic and the job he has done.
Northern Ireland international Brunt says it would be easy for him to slaughter Bilic but chooses to do the exact opposite.
The midfielder’s 13-year Hawthorns career came to an end in the 2-2 draw with QPR that clinched promotion to the Premier League.
Brunt said: “He’s a top manager.
“He’s not picked me all season, so it speaks volumes that I can speak so highly of him.
“He’s always been honest with me.
“I respect him as a manager and as a person. It would be easy for me to sit and chuck my toys out of the pram – but I have a lot of respect for the job he has done and the person he is.
“It’s all been a bit surreal. It was good to play a part at the end.
“I wasn’t just thrown on for sentimental reasons – there was still something on it.” Brunt said he hadn’t celebrated going up quite as energetically as some of his younger team-mates.
“I’m basically pretty chilled out and a family man,” he said.
“The younger lads are still out and about from the sound of things, but I’m a bit old for that!”
Brunt believes Albion need to recruit well and try and ensure they stay up, adding: “We’ve got an exciting group of players, but the hard work starts now. Clubs like Sheffield United should be the inspiration for us.
“They’ve shown what can be done.”
Brunt will now take a family break and explore his options with Stoke, managed by his former international boss Michael O’Neill, a likely destination.
He came close to a loan move there in January and added: “It’s a pretty obvious connection.
“I’ve made no secret of how much I enjoyed working under Michael. I won’t lie, I would love the chance to work with him again.
“I feel good physically and think I’ve shown I can still play a bit.
“I haven’t had any contact with anyone but hopefully over the next few weeks there will be a few phone calls and I will know a bit more.”