Whelan slams West Brom for ‘bad mistake’ over Allardyce
West Brom made a “bad mistake” appointing Sam Allardyce as manager, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Premier League striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the Baggies would have done better sticking with Slaven Bilic.
As confirmed on Wednesday, Allardyce will step down from his post after Sunday’s clash away at Leeds United.
The 66-year-old confirmed in a statement he had turned down a “generous offer” to stay at the Hawthorns.
The former England boss was handed an 18-month contract back in December following Bilic’s exit.
However, Whelan has insisted the Baggies had needed a “miracle” to avoid relegation.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “He should never have got the job, in my opinion. I don’t think he was the right man for the job.
“Personally, I think Bilic should have stayed in the job. I think they would have had a better chance of staying up, I didn’t see the point in making that decision.
“A bad mistake from the club. That miracle was pretty much impossible, to be honest with you. I don’t think the fans are going to cry about it too much. They’d rather see a better style of football as well at the football club.”
Allardyce won four out of 24 league games in charge of West Brom, most notably a 5-2 victory over Chelsea.
Bilic won only once in 14 top-flight matches before being sacked.
The Croatian boss is now in charge of Chinese Super League outfit Beijing Guoan.
In other news, Football Insider can reveal leading contender for the West Brom job.