With the Premier League season fast-approaching for Slaven Bilić's Baggies, learn more about some of the teams they will face in the top flight this season.
This is the second part of the rundown of every Premier League side's boss, how they fared in 2019/20, their key man and a memorable encounter against Albion.
You can view Part One here, or continue reading for Part Two.
Everton
The gaffer…
Carlo Ancelotti is currently in charge at Goodison Park. The Italian is one of only three managers to have won the Champions League three times, claiming it twice with AC Milan and once with Real Madrid. He has been in charge of clubs such as Juventus, AC Milan, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Napoli, winning domestic titles in Italy, England, France, Spain, and Germany.
He arrived at Everton last December, with the club placed 15th in the table and he guided them to a 12th-placed finish.
Last season…
Everton’s most recent campaign ended with their lowest-placed finish in the Premier League since the 2003/04 season, however they did achieve two more points than in 2014/15 and 2015/16, when they finished 11th in the table.
The Toffees got to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, but lost to Leicester City on penalties. In the league they struggled for consistency, failing to win more than two games on the bounce all season.
Star man…
Richarlison bagged 13 Premier League goals last season, matching his tally from his first campaign with the club in 2018/19. The 23-year-old Brazilian forward signed from Watford after just one season in the Premier League with the Hornets, having previously played his football with Fluminese after coming through the ranks at América Mineiro.
Memorable clash…
In November 2010, Albion beat Everton 4-1 at Goodison Park. Paul Scharner fired the Baggies ahead before a beautiful Chris Brunt free-kick extended the advantage. Tim Cahill pulled one back for the Toffees just before the break, but the defining moment would come just before the hour mark as Mikel Arteta was sent off for Everton.
With an extra man on the pitch, Albion added to their lead with Somen Tchoyi and Youssouf Mulumbu finding the back of the net, only for the latter to see red a minute later, though it mattered little, as the away side saw out the final moments.
Fulham
The gaffer…
After playing for Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Newcastle, West Ham, Spurs, Fulham and England in an impressive playing career, Scott Parker was handed his first managerial role at Craven Cottage in February 2019, initially as caretaker manager.
Parker won three of his nine games in charge and despite Fulham being relegated, was handed the job on a permanent basis. In his first full season at the club, the 39-year-old guided Fulham back to the Premier League via the Play-Offs, beating Brentford 2-1 in the final thanks to two extra-time goals from Joe Bryan.
Last season…
Most Albion fans will be familiar with how the Cottagers performed last term; when Slaven Bilić’s men looked over their shoulders, Fulham and Brentford were normally sharp on their heels. A fourth-placed finish meant the Londoners faced Cardiff in the Play-Offs. A 2-0 win away from home meant despite a 2-1 loss at home they progressed to Wembley, where they beat Brentford to return to the the top-flight.
The two times the Baggies faced Parker’s men last season the scores were tied; 1-1 at Craven Cottage and 0-0 at The Hawthorns.
Star man…
Aleksandar Mitrovic finished the last campaign as the top scorer in the Sky Bet Championship with 26 goals to his name. The powerful Serbian striker was also on fine form for his country, and recently netted in their Nations League match against Russia at the start of September.
Memorable clash…
Albion moved up to fourth spot in the Premier League after nine games by beating Fulham in October 2010. Zoltan Gera scored Fulham’s opener; his effort came back off the post, hit Scott Carson and trickled in. But Youssouf Mulumbu equalised with a low shot and Marc-Antoine Fortune slotted in after a cut-back from Jerome Thomas to secure the win for the Baggies.
Leeds
The gaffer…
Marcelo Bielsa’s footballing philosophy has impressed everyone since moving to England in 2018. Nicknamed ‘El Loco’, the 65-year-old has developed and successfully implemented his own style of high-intensity football, winning two titles at Argentinian side Newell’s Old Boys, leading Spanish side Athletic Bilboa to Europa League and Copa Del Rey finals as well as international projects with the Chilean and Argentinian national sides. He also mentored managers such as Pep Guardiola and Mauricio Pochettino.
Last season…
Much like the aforementioned fellow-promoted side Fulham, most Baggies will be aware of the ins and outs of Leeds United’s season, as they claimed promotion back to the top flight after 16 seasons away from it. Bielsa’s men went on to claim the Sky Bet Championship title, finishing the season with 93 points. They beat Bilić’s Baggies by a single goal at Elland Road, while at The Hawthorns on New Year’s Day it ended in a 1-1 draw.
Star man…
Record signing Rodrigo stands out as the one to watch for the West Yorkshire side this season, but Kalvin Phillips’ recent call-up to the England national side makes him a standout performer. A combative defensive-midfielder, Phillips has come through the youth ranks at Leeds to establish himself as one of the first names on the team-sheet. The 24-year-old played a vital role dictating and breaking up play to help Leeds lift the title last year.
Memorable clash…
The Baggies put on an entertaining show at The Hawthorns towards the end of 2018 as they sent a message to the rest of Championship following a 4-1 thumping of Leeds. Hal Robson-Kanu, Matt Phillips, Harvey Barnes and Dwight Gayle grabbed the goals to secure a special victory in B71.
Leicester
The gaffer…
Brendan Rodgers landed his first senior managerial job at Watford in 2008. Since then he has managed Reading, Swansea City, Liverpool, Celtic and Leicester. Rodgers’ highlights so far include guiding Swansea to the Premier League for the first time, taking Liverpool from a seventh-placed finish to the cusp of winning the title, and securing Celtic’s first-ever ‘double treble’.
He has been at Leicester since February 2019 and built on their ninth-placed end to the 2018/19 campaign to narrowly miss out on Champions League football last term. He currently has a win ratio of more than 50% with the Foxes.
Last season…
Leicester City finished fifth last season. They were just four points off third-placed Manchester United, but also only three points ahead of seventh-placed Wolves. A run of eight wins through October, November and into December meant the Foxes were in second position in the table, but they didn’t put more than two league wins together for the rest of the campaign.
Rodgers’ men also had good cup runs in both domestic competitions, reaching the semi-final of the Carabao Cup only to lose late on to Aston Villa, while they were beaten by Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the Emirates FA Cup.
Star man…
A name that is synonymous with Leicester City, Jamie Vardy had another wonderful season for the Foxes, scoring 23 Premier League goals. The peak of his goalscoring form coincided with Leicester’s best spell of the campaign as he netted 11 times in their eight-game winning streak, notably notching a hat-trick against Southampton in their 9-0 thumping of the Saints at St Mary’s Stadium.
Memorable clash…
In November 2016, Albion won 2-1 at the King Power Stadium against Leicester, who at the time were Premier League champions. The Baggies took the lead when James Morrison headed in Matt Phillips’ cross, but moments later Riyad Mahrez provided a similarly accurate delivery for Islam Slimani to nod in.
However, with 18 minutes remaining Phillips dinked a shot past keeper Ron-Robert Zieler to secure the win for Albion.
Liverpool
The gaffer…
Jurgen Klopp has earned deserved cult-status amongst the Liverpool faithful during his five-year tenure on Merseyside. Last season’s historic and long-awaited achievement adds to a fine list of silverware for the former Mainz 05 player and manager. Major success consisted of lifting two Bundesliga and two German Super Cup trophies over a seven-year stint with Borussia Dortmund before he claimed further accolades with the Reds, most notably lifting the UEFA Champions League before last year.
Last season…
The trophy that mattered the most to Klopp and Liverpool was their first title during the Premier League era last term and their first in 30 years. During the journey which secured their 19th league triumph, the Merseyside club broke several top-flight records; most consecutive wins and home victories, as well as showing their efficiency by clinching the title with more games remaining than any other side have done before (seven).
Star man…
Mohamed Salah’s successful period with Jurgen Klopp’s men has given him the platform to unleash his world-class potential after a lack of action at former English club, Chelsea. Liverpool’s acquisition of Salah has brought him countless individual accolades in addition to the club’s achievements since the Egyptian’s move; the FIFA Puskás award, FWA, PFA Liverpool and the PL’s Player of the Year/Season awards, in addition to two golden boots.
Memorable clash…
Who could forget that thrilling night at Anfield in 2018 which saw the Baggies produce a remarkable display and run out winners of a five-goal thriller in the fourth round of the F.A. Cup?
Roberto Firmino fired Liverpool ahead, but Jay Rodriguez instantly struck a double to turn the tie in Albion's favour. Craig Dawson thought he'd handed the Baggies a two-goal advantage, but VAR disallowed his goal.
The home side were then awarded a controversial penalty via VAR, but Firmino's spot-kick bounced back off the crossbar, before the Baggies did eventually extend their lead - with Joel Matip credited with an own goal for the final touch.
Salah offered the hosts hope when he netted 12 minutes from time, but Albion held on to progress to the next round.
Manchester City
The gaffer…
Serial winner Pep Guardiola’s widely-renowned success has been built off his captivating style of football. This has been evident in the more than four years he's been in charge of the blue side of Manchester and it has won the Spaniard an abundance of accolades despite only managing three clubs during his career; 14 trophies with Barcelona, seven with German powerhouse Bayern Munich and now eight with Manchester City, including three consecutive League Cups and two Premier League titles.
Last season…
The Citizens failed to make it three consecutive top-flight titles in a row last season as they surrendered their crown to Liverpool, finishing 18 points behind in second spot. Although they were knocked out of the FA Cup in the semis at the hands of Arsenal, City dispatched Aston Villa to lift the EFL Cup but fell short on the European front, bowing out to French side Lyon in the Champions League quarter-final.
Star man...
Sergio Aguero and Gariel Jesus stayed among the goals last season, but England international Raheem Sterling has maintained exceptional form under Guardiola. For the last three seasons, the attacker has managed at least 20 goals along with countless assists. Last year proved to be the most prolific season of his career, netting 31 goals across all club competitions.
Memorable clash…
City have shown Albion no mercy during recent times and 2008 was the last time the Baggies defeated them in the top-flight during a 2-1 win at The Hawthorns courtesy of Roman Bednar’s injury-time goal.
Manchester United
The gaffer…
Although his appointment was as a surprise given his previous managerial experience, Ole Gunnar Solskjær certainly proved his credentials last term. A Manchester United legend in his playing days, the former striker embarked on his coaching career with the Red Devils’ reserve team before moving onto two stints in his native Norway with Molde, either side of his time managing Cardiff City in the Premier League, before taking the top job at Old Trafford in 2018.
Last season…
United’s 66 points during the 2018/19 season only managed to get them sixth place, but last year’s exact same tally secured Champions League qualification in third-spot - the second time they’ve managed a top-three standing since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement. United progressed to the last four in both of England’s domestic competitions and the Europa League, but failed in their quest for silverware.
Star man…
Marcus Rashford has become one of the world’s most exciting players since bursting onto the scene under Louis Van Gaal in 2016. He netted a brace on his senior debut in the Europa League and followed his emphatic introduction to the first team with another two goals against Arsenal on his top-flight debut just days later. At the age of 22 the attacker has already won four trophies and continues to exhibit his goal-scoring ability, reaching double-figures in his last four campaigns with United.
Memorable clash…
The Baggies spoiled the party during Sir Alex’s final match as Manchester United boss as they refused to give their opposition the perfect send-off by giving them a spectacular game which ended 5-5.
🎥 Good luck at @ManUtd, @RomeluLukaku9!
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) July 10, 2017
We hope they've forgiven you for this...#WBA pic.twitter.com/MmaDEGqlpO