Bilkul's Turbulent Two Years at Albion

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It’s now two years since Shilen Patel completed his takeover of West Bromwich Albion. His Bilkul WBA group acquired a majority stake in the club on 28 February 2024, a deal that ultimately helped Albion avoid administration following the financially reckless reign of Guochuan Lai. Bilkul have successfully operated within the EFL’s Profit and Sustainability Rules, but matters on the pitch have been far less stable. In those two years, four head coaches have departed — three of them sacked — and Sporting Director Andrew Nestor also left the club after behind‑the‑scenes disagreements. Albion’s American chairman began his tenure dreaming of promotion to the Premier League, yet the club now faces the very real prospect of relegation to League One. BBC Radio WM’s Steve Hermon reflects on his exclusive March 2024 interview with Shilen Patel, and is joined by the Express & Star’s Albion reporter, Lewis Cox, to examine the highs and lows of the Bilkul era. Image: Adam Fradgley/Getty