Sam Allardyce: Premier League experience will help West Brom

The Dudley-born chief, who confirmed on Wednesday that he will not take charge of the club next season, believes the Baggies already have the basis of a squad to mount a promotion push next season.

Speaking after a 3-1 final day defeat at Leeds, Allardyce said: “I think they have got the basis of a Championship squad that can challenge.

“It needs some additions, obviously.

“But I think there is the basis of a very talented Championship squad.

“I think the experience they have had this year will make them even better when they go back down to the Championship.

“I think it’s is a level they are going to be very good at.

“They have a great opportunity to show how good they are in the Championship. They will need to strengthen the squad but that’s for somebody else.”

Albion are currently in the process of finalising their managerial shortlist - with Chris Wilder understood to be on that list.

Frank Lampard and Michael Appleton are other names to have been linked with the role.

Allardyce has previously said he will help technical director Luke Dowling and chief executive Xu Ke in their hunt for a new boss if they ask for his advice.

But he said he didn’t speak to them about the job in the days leading up to the Leeds match, with the 66-year-old instead putting all his focus on the game.

“I’ve told the club what I think and it’s up to them,” Allardyce added.

“I haven’t spoken to them for the last two or three days as we’ve been concentrating on the game.

“A good holiday is next for me that’s for sure, after that I don’t know.

I’m glad I came back and I’m disappointed I haven’t done what I’ve done previously and kept the club in the Premier League.

“We stopped getting thrashed, then we started getting better but unfortunately not good enough.”