Slaven Bilic reportedly on the brink of West Brom exit despite superb draw at Manchester City

The brilliant display at the Etihad Stadium was completely overshadowed within minutes of the final whistle as reports emerged that the Croatian was to be dismissed, possibly as early as Wednesday.

Bilic was conducting his post-match interviews when the rumours began to circulate – with Sam Allardyce, Nigel Pearson and Mark Hughes named as leading candidates to replace him.

Speaking after the draw, Bilic was asked about his future and reiterated that he is happy and enjoying his job at The Hawthorns.

“I am very calm I love my job,” the Croatian said. “To be fair I am not bothered (about speculation).

“I am doing my job. I am working hard for myself for the players for the club.

“Everything else is out of my control. I am just doing my best.

“I don’t think about what is happening behind the scenes – I don’t care.”

Bilic was appointed Albion manager at the beginning of last season with a two-year plan to get the club into the Premier League.

He achieved that a year early, with that promotion becoming even more crucial due to the financial implications of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Baggies have struggled since their return to the top flight with just one win in 13 league games.

But they remain well and truly in the battle to avoid relegation.

And the draw at Man City further underpinned that with Albion’s players playing with character, grit and determination for the full 90 minutes.

According to reports, Dudley-born Allardyce is the man the Albion hierarchy want to replace Bilic – with Pearson and Hughes alternatives.

Allardyce has been out of work since leaving Everton in 2018, while former Albion caretaker manager Pearson left Watford last season.

Hughes has not worked in management since a short stint at Southampton in 2018.

Albion’s performance in Manchester was fantastic with every player giving their all to secure a result.

On the game, Bilic said: “If we want to stay in the Premier League that is what we have to do – I saw them dying on the pitch for their team-mates. It was a great defensive performance.

“We were playing against great players, we knew we were not going to see much of the ball.

“We defended brilliantly, it’s a great point but more than that it shows we know what we have to do in every game.”

Asked whether the performance showed the players are playing for Bilic, the boss said: “I don’t like that cliche.

“The players are playing for themselves but they are listening to our game plan.

“It’s great to see players fight like that. But we have had that atmosphere throughout the whole season. It has never stopped.

“Sometimes you win games, sometimes you lose games. But we have never had a problem with attitude.”

Bilic added he hoped the result would give the team more belief going forward.

“It’s a great point for us but more than that it’s the belief that has to come with it,” he added.

“We have to be able to go into more games with more confidence and belief.”