[drewks]

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/...aging-club

For a change, I believe that this is actually a heartfelt message from a departing manager.
As has been said before, what a sincere, human, passionate bloke.
I'll certainly miss you, SB, and THANKS.

[BaggieSteve]

It’s pretty obvious from the contributions in the last two days that we are divided over both the decision to sack Bilic and the subsequent appointment of Allardyce.
I would hope though that we could all agree that Slaven’s behaviour and response to the decision has been outstanding- no element of rancour or bitterness, just a quiet dignity. I guess it’s what we would have expected from him, but it seems worthy of mention nonetheless. I, for one, am highly appreciative of what he did for the club, not just achieving promotion at the first attempt but also for how he raised the club’s image and how he conducted himself as an ambassador for the Albion

Good point. I think he's a very likable guy.

I'm not sure the players agree after him calling them "not men" last year, or calling Gibbs "stupid" post the Everton game...

But as a fan, I did find him very endearing. Always liked him as a pundit to be fair. Great passion and someone with good footballing principals to boot.

And I think he's a great coach when the going is good, which we saw at the start of last season. Unfortunately I just think he's poor when the going gets tough, gets way too emotional. We saw that after things went south at the end of last season when we started losing games. Constant team changes, formation changes, team selections to say FU to the board (see my post above regarding Gallagher).

If he can calm down, stop making rash decisions lead by emotion and understand that a team needs to earn the right to play when the going gets tough, he can become a very good coach. Grit and fight is vital at this level!

If you're reading this Slav, thanks for the work you have done in the promotion year. Please take my comments as constructive criticism and use them to better yourself in the next job, which I'm sure will not be far away. The calmness in your response to being dismissed is the same calmness you should operate after games. Best of luck and thanks for some excellent performances last season.

And take your earrings out, you're in your 50s FFS!

Doesn’t seem to have done David Essex any harm

[WBA-Josh]

Slaven is already back in work at Beijing Guoan in China.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/555...of+the+Day

[Baggievicar]

I assume Lai doesn't own that one?

[SpenB]

Seen this:

"Zhang Yuning, the young chinese experiment for Lai plays for the same team that Bilic now works at."

[Blue Baggie]

Seen this:

"Zhang Yuning, the young chinese experiment for Lai plays for the same team that Bilic now works at."

It's just a coincidence.   yeh right

[Slick_Footwork]

Can't we get him to send us Cedric Bakambu on loan? He was the striker I fancied us signing back when we went for Rondon.