Sam Allardyce says his West Brom future will be decided next week

The Baggies host Liverpool at The Hawthorns on Sunday for the first of three matches they have to play despite their relegation to the Championship having been confirmed.

When Allardyce replaced the sacked Slaven Bilic in December, he signed an 18-month deal.

But Albion’s return to English football’s second tier means a break clause in his contract has now become active – with both the boss and the club having the right to walk away from their original agreement.

Earlier this week, Allardyce held discussions with sporting and technical director Luke Dowling as well as chief executive Xu Ke – who is known as Ken – in regards to his future.

The Dudley-born chief has previously said he would want assurances over the club’s transfer budget in order to stay next season.

But there are also questions as to whether Allardyce has the appetite to manage in the Championship – with a 46 game league season having the potential to take its toll on the 66-year-old.

After hosting Liverpool, Albion welcome West Ham to The Hawthorns on Wednesday – a match that should have approximately 6,000 Baggies fans in attendance.

They then travel to Leeds on Sunday, May 23, for a final day clash at Leeds.

And it’s inbetween those games against West Ham and Leeds that Allardyce says he will reveal his plans for the future – with the boss insisting he is yet to make up his mind.

“I think it’s more than likely, because of the situation, we’ll have a decision before Leeds,” the former Bolton and Crystal Palace boss said.

“Myself and the club going forward will put everything to bed before the end of the season and see where we go from there.

“A decision has not yet been made. There is a lot to discuss, a lot to go through.

“The shock for me is that I can’t get my head around it (relegation) because I never expected it.

“When I came here, I didn’t expect us to be relegated, I expected us to be safe on the basis of my past experiences.

“I didn’t really worry or think about it, until I woke up the other day I said that’s it, after Arsenal that’s it, I can’t do anything about it.

“I didn’t expect to be in this position. I need a bit of time. A bit of thought.

“We will talk and I will give an answer before the end of the season.”

Allardyce was subsequently asked if he would like to offset the disappointment of relegation by guiding the Baggies back into the Premier League.

He was also asked if Albion’s budget was a reason why a decision has not yet been made or it is personal reasons preventing him from committing his future to the club.

“You have all tried very well,” Allardyce said with a big smile.

“You’ve tried some great questions to get it out of me. It won’t work, not just yet. You will have an answer before the end of the season.

“But I do understand you have to ask, I don’t blame you for trying because you wouldn’t be doing your job correctly. But it’s about Liverpool on Sunday not me.”

Allardyce admits he has been taken aback by just how much Albion’s relegation has hurt him.

“I’ve not felt anything like this for a long, long time – I can’t remember how long,” the former Notts County manager continued.

“It was in the 90s when I went into Notts County and couldn’t keep them up.

“It doesn’t feel good. Now we have to accept what it is and get over it because we have three very important games from a professional point of view.

“We need to keep our professionalism and keep at it.

I want to have a little go.

“I’ve told the players to finish above Fulham and finish the season as strong as we can - with some pride.

“I have to say I haven’t been discouraged by the performances, I’ve only been gutted by the results.

“That’s the great shame.”