Express & Star

Slaven Bilic backing West Brom to have a bright future

Slaven Bilic can see a bright future at Albion – but only if everyone maintains their high performance levels.

Published
Slaven Bilic (AMA)

The popular Croatian has made a huge impact at The Hawthorns since his appointment as head coach back in June.

The Baggies, who have played attractive football all season, were on track to secure promotion to the Premier League before football was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But while his time at the club has so far been a huge success, Bilic says managers – and players – can never rest on their laurels.

“It’s very difficult to plan for three years in any walk of life but especially in football and when you are a manager,” Bilic said when asked where he sees Albion in three years time. “You have a certain amount of time – you have the next four games.

“But you can plan for half a season, which is not bad to be fair.

“I know we have done well, but this job is like that – you have the next few games. Four or five games that you have to do well.

“To the players, you transmit the same, they have – not four or five games – they have less games to prove themselves. They have to be on their toes and give their best every day.

“That is enough for me to say I can see a good future for West Brom.

“You are successful only if your actions yesterday were successful.

“But if today they aren’t then you are not successful.

“That is what we have to install in the players, every day you have to work hard and every day you have to sacrifice.

“Even then it’s not job done but that puts you on a good platform.

“With clever training, with good recruitment with that little bit of luck you need you can go places.

“But without that work ethic you have zero chance to progress and even think about three years time.”

If Albion maintain their strong work ethic, Bilic believes the club has the foundations in place to ensure future success.

“We have a good team, we have a good group age,” the 51-year-old continued. “West Brom has got, I don’t know why – whether it is the area, West Brom has got one of the best academies.

“We are going to produce the players.

“But at the same time, we are in the Championship.

“We are not ashamed of that, we love the Championship, there is nothing wrong with the Championship.

“But our aim is to win promotion and get to the Premier League.

“What I like to say to the players is extraordinary achievements, require extraordinary performances

.”