Baggies sale will keep Big Sam in a job
BUT HE WANTS ASSURANCES
SAM ALLARDYCE will be kept on as West Brom manager if the Baggies are relegated – but only if a sale of the club is going through.
The former England chief has a break clause in his contract that comes into play if the Black Country side lose their battle to stay in the top flight.
Allardyce revealed in the build-up to yesterday’s sensational 5-2 win at Chelsea that he can be retained... providing both parties agree to an extension next month.
But the veteran manager wants assurances that he will be able to compete in the Championship if he is to continue the relationship.
It is understood that if, as appears likely, West Brom fail in their survival fight they will look for a new long-term boss.
However, the situation at the Hawthorns is complicated by the fact that an active sale process is now under way.
Owner Lai Guochuan has entered into an exclusive arrangement with one interested party – negotiations remain ongoing – and there are others on the fringes waiting to see what happens.
Should those talks end with a definite sale – and they have been taking place for the past couple of months – Allardyce is likely to be asked to stay on while it goes through.
It would be pointless for Albion to ditch the 66-year-old and recruit his replacement only for the club’s new owners to bring in their own man.
In the meantime, contingency plans are being drawn up to find a new boss.
Former Sheffield United gaffer Chris Wilder was on a previous shortlist for the role and it is likely he would be approached.
Another name in the frame is ex-chelsea chief Frank Lampard.
But neither of those managers would be appointed if a sale was likely.
It remains to be seen how long Lai is prepared to wait to offload a club he bought from Jeremy Peace five years ago for £150million.
Uncertainty
If the Chinese leaves the door open for a succession of interested parties to carry out due diligence, uncertainty will hang over any of the managers the club intends to approach.
They will not want to take the job in the knowledge that should it be sold they will be out of the door when new owners arrive.
That leaves the way clear for Allardyce to continue – as long as he can be convinced that he will be given the funds to compete. And that remains a crucial question.
The financial situation has been clouded by the pandemic. Losses suffered by the lack of income from fans and corporate sales has hit the club hard.
If Big Sam doesn’t get the assurances, it could leave West Brom with a major
managerial headache.