New West Brom boss ‘must know English game’

The Dudley-born chief announced on Wednesday he will leave the Baggies at the end of the season following their relegation to the Championship.

But while he will walk away after Sunday’s game at Leeds, Allardyce has enjoyed an excellent working relationship with technical director Luke Dowling and chief executive Xu Ke – who is known as Ken.

And he says because of that he will help the duo find his successor – a man who will hopefully lead the Baggies back into the Premier League at the first time of asking.

“You’ve got to look at what success they’ve had, wherever that might have been, whether that’s in the lower divisions or in this league itself,” Allardyce said when asked what type of manager Albion now need to appoint.

“I still think it’s risky sometimes taking a foreign manager in this league to try to get up in your first season unless he’s a foreign manager who’s already in this country.

“If he knows about this country and the way it works that might be an option but to bring somebody in without experience is a lot more risky than somebody in this country, either British or foreign, that already knows the way it works here.

“And I think it’s more about sustainability and building because only one in three clubs go up on average in their first year. It may take a bit longer.”

Meanwhile, midfielder Sam Field has completed a permanent move to QPR for an undisclosed fee.

The 23-year-old joined the Hoops on loan last season and impressed in 19 outings for the club.

“Sometimes you feel like chapters are up in your life,” Field said.

“West Brom has been absolutely brilliant for me.

“But I feel now is the right time to move on permanently.”