Slaven Bilic linked with shock West Ham return as pressure grows on Graham Potter

Slaven Bilic has emerged as a surprise contender to become the next West Ham manager.

West Ham have endured a torrid start to the season, losing all but one of their five games. That dismal run has left Graham Potter’s side languishing in 18th place in the Premier League, where they have already shipped 11 goals, and cost them a place in the third round of the League Cup after a late defeat at Wolves.

The club’s fan advisory group recently issued a vote of no confidence in the board and will hold protests at the London Stadium before this weekend’s meeting with Crystal Palace. There are also plans afoot to stage a boycott of next month’s televised home game against Brentford. 

How Slaven Bilic would forge an instant bond with West Ham fans

With the mutinous mood growing, West Ham were moved to issue a statement this week acknowledging that expectations have not been met. While it is understood there is no immediate appetite at board level to dispense with Potter, the 50-year-old has won just six of his 22 league games since taking over in January, prompting the club to consider potential alternatives.

Among those names is Bilic, who became a cult figure at West Ham as a player and manager and is currently a free agent. 

The 57-year-old Croatian, who left Saudi Pro League side Al Fateh last year after a mutual agreement to terminate his contract, would not only forge an instant connection with the club’s disenchanted fanbase but was also a popular figure among senior staff during his previous tenure. Crucially, given the club’s parlous position, Bilic is also well versed in the unique demands of managing West Ham.

‘West Ham is a special club’

“West Ham is not the biggest club, of course, but it’s a very popular club,” Bilic said following last month’s League Cup defeat. “It’s kind of a special club. The fans are very demanding. The media, the whole environment around West Ham is very demanding. 

“West Ham is one of those clubs that, very quickly, you get in that trouble zone, and it’s only after three games. Unless you know the club, unless you know the situation, and unless you are strong with a clear plan, it’s not easy to get out of there. 

“Now with West Ham, a lot of people, including me, we say, ‘It’s only three games.’ But you have a feeling that it is like 15 games at West Ham now.”

Other contenders for the West Ham job

Bilic told talkSPORT that David Sullivan, the club’s chief shareholder, is not given to knee-jerk reactions and would offer Potter support and time. But the former Croatia international, who said he remained on good terms with the chairman, acknowledged the sense of crisis enveloping the club and said it was difficult to avoid a “negative environment”.

Nuno Espírito Santo, who recently left Nottingham Forest, is also a contender for the job, although it remains to be seen whether the Portuguese would consider a swift return to the dugout. Fulham manager Andoni Iraola, whose contract expires next summer, has also been linked with a move to east London, while former Everton boss Sean Dyche is also believed to be under consideration.

However, at a time when there is a vogue for reappointing former managers, with José Mourinho returning to Porto and Chris Wilder embarking on a third stint in the Sheffield United dugout, there would be obvious logic in a move for Bilic.