Former West Ham manager Slaven Bilic is now the front-runner to become the permanent West Brom boss, according to The Sun.
The newspaper says that the Croatian held positive talks with the Baggies on Tuesday, and is now awaiting more news from the Midlands club.
The report adds that one key selling point put across by Bilic in the discussions was his exciting style of play, which he hopes can win over the club’s fans and guide them to promotion.
The Sun also claims that the possibility of Bilic becoming manager has increased after it has proved difficult to persuade Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder to hold talks with West Brom.
OPINION
A previous report [Daily Mirror] had suggested that West Brom were interested in appointing Bilic at the Hawthorns, but this report makes that speculation a lot more concrete. Not only does it make clear that Bilic is indeed a target, but it says that the Croatian has held talks, which – if true – would of course put him near the top of the favourites list to succeed James Shan. Whoever comes in as Baggies boss, they must be able to handle what will be a very tough job. There is a risk that, following the Baggies’ failure to get promoted last season, the club could fail to have another crack at getting back to the Premier League. Bilic could be a good appointment – if you look at his first season with West Ham – but based on the following two seasons, there was a downturn in form that eventually led to the manager being sacked.