Sam Allardyce confirms he will step down as West Brom manager at the end of the season

Sam Allardyce has stepped down as West Bromwich Albion manager ahead of the relegated club’s final match of the season.

The club released a statement on their website towards the end of defeat by West Ham, in front of the first crowd at The Hawthorns for more than a year.

‘West Bromwich Albion made me a generous offer to stay at The Hawthorns that shows the commitment of an ambitious club, revealed Allardyce, 66. After serious consideration I have decided not to accept that offer.

Sam Allardyce has confirmed he will step down as West Brom boss at the end of the season

The Baggies will play in the Championship next season following their relegation

‘If I were to stay and achieve promotion next season the expectation would be for me to continue for at least another season and, sadly, that is not a commitment I feel able to make at this stage of my career.

‘I believe the club now needs stability and continuity and this would, in my opinion, best be provided by a young and ambitious manager who can get us back to where we should be as an established Premier League football club.

‘I must thank the players and staff, in particular Luke Dowling and Ken (Xu Ke), for their unwavering commitment to a very difficult challenge during my time at the club. 

Allardyce believes the club need a young and ambitious coach to take them forward

‘This challenge was made all the more difficult, of course, by the enforced absence of the club’s fantastic supporters, some of whom I am delighted were present for our final home game against West Ham United.

‘The club have asked for my opinion on the qualities my successor will require and I have been more than happy to offer my thoughts. The search for my replacement starts after the final game of the season at Leeds United. In the meantime, we will be concentrating fully on the preparation for that game and will do everything we can to finish the season with as many points as possible.’

West Brom skipper Kyle Bartley said: ‘Sam Allardyce told us as we got in the dressing room. It’s a bit of a shock. I think most of us expected he would be here next season. I thought he would have been fantastic for us next year. 

‘I’d have thought we would have a really good chance of going back up. But I fully respect his decision.’ 

Former Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder is likely to figure prominently in Albion’s thoughts as they look to bounce back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Wilder left Sheffield United earlier this season after a hugely successful spell in which he guided the club from League One to the Premier League.

Former Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder is likely to feature in Albion’s thoughts