The Athletic’s West Brom reporter Steve Madeley has claimed that the club have yet to offer manager Slaven Bilic a new contract, but that that is unlikely to be a priority for the Baggies at this moment in time.
Bilic enjoyed a near-perfect debut campaign in charge at The Hawthorns last season, guiding the club to automatic promotion to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
Having signed a two-year deal with West Brom upon his arrival at the club last summer, Bilic’s current contract with the Baggies is set to expire at the end of this season, although it seems securing a new deal for the Croatian is not currently top of the club’s to-do list.
Responding to a question about whether or not Bilic has been offered a new contract at The Hawthorns, Madely wrote on The Athletic: “Nothing yet. I suspect adding [players] is No.1 priority at the moment.”
With the full season to negotiate with Bilic over his future, it looks as though West Brom have got their priorities the right way around here.
Their first match in the Premier League is now just over three weeks away, so it seems more sensible to be worrying about recruiting players who can strengthen the squad ahead of the new season, given the importance of avoiding relegation in the coming campaign.
Indeed, keeping the club in the top-flight of English football beyond this season could have a big say in whether or not Bilic remains at the club past next summer, and buying those players he needs now, will show Bilic he will get the backing he surely wants off the pitch, that could tempt to remain at The Hawthorns when it comes to deciding on his future in little under 12 month’s time.
