Sources: Wilder is leading contender to be West Brom manager – he’s held Dowling talks
Ex-Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder is the leading contender to replace Sam Allardcye at West Brom, Football Insider understands.
Allardyce announced after Wednesday’s defeat to his former club West Ham that he will step down after Sunday’s finale against Leeds United.
A West Brom source has told Football Insider the club have been preparing for some time for the possibility that they could be searching for a manager just five months after sacking Slaven Bilic.
Intriguingly, sporting director Luke Dowling spoke to Wilder about the possibility of taking over before Bilic was appointed in the summer of 2019.
The Croatian landed job in June and last 18 months before he was dismissed with Albion’s Premier League status under major threat.
Allardyce failed to keep West Brom up and leaves with the first relegation of his managerial career on his CV.
Wilder is believed to be keen on a return to management after leaving Sheffield United by mutual consent in March.
Like Allardyce, he oversaw a team that was eventually comfortably relegated.
However, the 53-year-old also has an extremely impressive pedigree in the EFL and has secured three promotions in the lowers leagues, two at United and one at Northampton Town.
Wilder was also at the helm for the best Premier League campaign in United’s history as they finished ninth in their first season back in the top flight.
They did not fare so well this season and their relegation seemed inevitable months before their former manager left.
In other news, West Brom star could sign for Leeds in part-exchange deal.