Former West Brom boss Slaven Bilic: I knew something was happening on return journey from Manchester City

The 52-year-old was sacked by the Baggies and replaced by Sam Allardyce this week, with the club 19th in the Premier League table, having just drawn 1-1 with Manchester City at The Etihad.

Bilic spoke to the press immediately following his former side's draw with the Cityzens, and confirmed he was unaware of any decision the club had made to change direction, saying he didn't care about speculation and things happening behind the scenes.

During those press conferences, reports emerged suggesting the Croatian was due to leave the club within 24 hours, reports later confirmed by Albion the following day - when they announced his exit.

He said that he felt in 'a good position' regarding his future.

"Some people felt that I smelt it. But I felt in a good position." Bilic told the Telegraph.

"The interview was straight after the game and I was only thinking of the joy of getting a point at Man City, not my future. I was just saying that I don’t care about those things because I was thinking of what mattered."

Following his media duties, Bilic travelled back to the Black Country, and he admits that reading reports during that journey regarding his future made him aware 'something was happening'.

He was sacked the following day, but it was a conclusion which wasn't surprising to him.

"Then I knew something was happening." He said, of the journey south following the City draw.

"I can’t say I was shocked when they told me."

"But I also can’t say that I saw it coming. I knew there was always a possibility because I know how it works.

"There are always two, three managers who are in that red zone – you are in the papers, the bookmakers – but this season is different. The biggest signal a manager can get, for or against, is the reaction of the crowd. Nowadays you don’t have it.

"You can’t say we were doing a smashing job in the Premier League – seven points from 13 games – but we were there and were definitely improving. For me, it was good.

"When people look and say, ‘They are in the relegation zone, it’s not good enough’, well everyone was saying before the season started that we were going to be rock bottom. But we were competing and in almost every game.

"On paper we are the least-valued team in the league but this team has shown that it can stay up. That’s what I told the guys after the game against Manchester City.

"I said, ‘This is a great point - be proud. But more than a point we have to realise now what we have to do in every game. We have to believe. We have to be positive. You believed tonight and you got a point against one of the best teams in Europe’.

"So we were learning, getting the confidence but the Premier League is the hardest school in the world; a cruel school and it takes time and it can cost points. Some of the things that happen in games affect you more than an established Premier League team."