Albion are delighted to today confirm the appointment of Slaven Bilić as the Club’s new Head Coach.
The experienced 50-year-old former Premier League and international boss has agreed a two-year contract and will set to work immediately on the task of heading up Albion’s Sky Bet Championship challenge for 2019/20.
Slaven takes up The Hawthorns post having led his nation, Croatia, to two European Championships and delivered a record-breaking Premier League performance for West Ham United, who achieved a highest-placed finish and goals scored during his two-year stay.
In top-level European football, which has taken in spells at Hajduk Split, Lokomotiv Moscow and Besiktas, Slaven has built up an impressive 46 per cent win ratio and he now turns his attention to leading a new promotion challenge with the Baggies.
Slaven, who played in England for the Hammers and Everton, is currently finalising domestic arrangements in Croatia before heading for England to begin the task of leading the Baggies.
He said: “I’m delighted with this opportunity of course.
“We want to improve, we want to improve on the pitch and Albion have convinced me they want to return to the Premier League. Albion have a short-term project and a long project and they do not clash.
“They wanted me to lead them, to help improve them. They made it clear they wanted me to be the one to lead them in this and I didn’t think twice once they had spoken to me."
Slaven’s appointment closes a thorough and exhaustive interview and selection process by the Club following the disappointment of Albion’s Play-Off semi-final penalty shoot-out exit.
Technical Director Luke Dowling said: “We had the opportunity to ensure we conducted a wide range of interviews and were determined to take it.
“We have spoken to some outstanding candidates and I would like to thank them for their interest in the post.
“But from the moment we spoke to Slaven, we were struck by his enthusiasm and excitement about this challenge. He is determined to get back to the Premier League and believes passionately that he can do that with Albion.
“We believe he is a great ‘fit’ for us - his presence, experience and management qualities are just what we need.”
