Sam Allardyce replaces Slaven Bilic and signs 18-month contract; Allardyce's last job was at Everton in 2018; Dudley-born boss has never been relegated; West Brom are second-bottom in Premier League and two points from safety.
Sam Allardyce says he will need to make an immediate impact as West Brom head coach if the club are to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
The former England boss has been given an 18-month contract, which includes a break clause at the end of the season if the Albion are relegated. Allardyce, in his first managerial role since being sacked by Everton in 2018, replaces Slaven Bilic after he was dismissed on Wednesday following West Brom's 1-1 draw at Manchester City on Tuesday night, with the club 19th in the table. The 66-year-old has previously taken over in situations with Premier League clubs in the bottom three, with his accomplishments including saving Sunderland and Crystal Palace from the drop. He said: "I think this job is about the same. They were different times I went in, but similar times. It upsets my wife that I keep taking jobs just before Christmas."What we have got to do is manage our way through this amount of games, coping with the pandemic and me trying to learn the players' strengths and weaknesses. What I have to try and hope for, is the stimulation of a new manager - as we all know on occasions - can lift a team to perform and play well enough to win a game and that's with little or no influence from the new manager, other than he's a new manager and the players say, 'I have to play my best because I want that manager to pick me. "Now if we can get that response come Sunday and from there on, that is absolutely fantastic."
The Baggies have struggled on their return to the Premier League this season, winning just once - against bottom club Sheffield United. They remain second bottom of the table, but are only two points behind 17th-place Burnley, who have two games in hand.
With the January transfer window approaching, Allardyce confirmed he will want to strengthen his squad where possible. He added: "There's some money, some opportunities, but there is a massive loss of revenue because of Covid to cope with.
"I understand the situation and we'll try and improve the team if we can find a player.
"We talked about that as a key area, once I've fully assessed the whole squad. I'm not certain, but I'm sure I will."
Allardyce, whose first game in charge will be a West Midlands derby against Aston Villa on Sunday evening, dispelled any doubt over his motivation levels at this stage of his career. "I'm hungrier than ever," he insisted. "I've never been so refreshed and eager.
"I've never had such a long break, it will have been three years in May. This break went on so long I had lots of pent-up energy, and I need to expend it.
"I've missed this so much. Sometimes I go into a club and think 'have I done the right thing', but it's all about striving for success. It's that thrill of trying to get a team out onto the pitch and win. "Most managers get in when the team they are going into is in a struggle. I can accept the sack if I deserve it and I'm very bitter if I don't deserve it.
"More often than not I haven't deserved it."
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