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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
James Nursey

West Brom eye Lee Bowyer as next boss if Slaven Bilic makes Hawthorns exit

West Brom could make a shock move for Lee Bowyer as boss if they continue to struggle under Slaven Bilic.

Baggies' coach Bilic is under increasing pressure at The Hawthorns with the promoted club 18th and yet to win this term.

The Croatian has also made his discontent known about his lack of resources and the club's decision to sell Ahmed Hegazi against his wishes to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad.

Albion were dire in their last match as they lost 2-0 at struggling Fulham when Bilic publicly criticised his players afterwards.

Now a heavy defeat or poor display at home to Tottenham on Sunday will leave the Albion board with a big decision to make in the international break.

West Brom have won only three league games since February and the atmosphere between Bilic and his board at the training ground has been uneasy.

How long has Bilic got left? (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Former West Ham boss Bilic, 52, faces the press on Friday and is likely to insist he won't walk as he is still under contract until the end of the season and his family are settled in the Midlands.

But West Brom spent just around £20million this close season as their budget was severely damaged by the Covid-19 pandemic.

They still managed to sign nine new players but four were to re-sign players already on loan last season as Matheus Pereira, Grady Diangana and Callum Robinson joined permanently and Filip Krovinovic returned on loan.

Bilic, appointed in June 2019 on a two-year deal, wasn't able to significantly improve his side with new blood and even the signing of Karlan Grant was protracted as Albion spread the cost of his signing over his six-year deal.

Now Albion are considering their options and Charlton boss Bowyer, 43, is believed to be among their top choices.

The ex-Leeds, West Ham and Newcastle midfielder has impressed in management in difficult circumstances at Addicks after serving controversial former owner Roland Duchatelet.

He steered them to promotion in 2019 in the League One play-offs and Charlton were only relegated on the final day last term with 48 points after top scorer Lyle Taylor refused to play after the re-start before quitting.

This season the club are on a red-hot six-game winning streak in League One and sit third which has alerted Albion who drew with Athletic twice last term in the Championship.

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