West Ham United may sack Nuno Espirito Santo and replace him with 57-year-old Croatian tactician Slaven Bilic in the coming weeks.
According to a report by TEAMtalk, Slaven Bilic is the subject of interest from West Ham United. The Hammers are mulling over sacking Nuno Espirito Santo, who has come under increasing pressure at the London Stadium amid a run of dreadful results. So, the Croatian tactician has emerged as an option to replace the Portuguese manager at the East London club.
Slaven Bilic and his managerial career thus far
Slaven Bilic has endured a topsy-turvy ride since entering the managerial sphere after his playing career. The Croat began and ended his time as a footballer at Hajduk Split, enjoying spells in Germany and the Premier League between those stints. However, he was a regular for Croatia and made 44 appearances for his national side.
The 57-year-old entered the managerial world in 2001, and he has managed Hajduk Split, Croatia Under-21, the Croatian national side, Lokomotiv Moscow, Besiktas, West Ham United, Al-Ittihad, West Bromwich Albion, Beijing Guoan, Watford, and Al-Fateh in his career, leaving the latter over a year ago.
The Croatian tactician’s most fruitful stints have come with West Ham and Besiktas, but he has yet to win a trophy in his managerial career. Nevertheless, Bilic’s stock in the market is high, and a return to the Premier League for the first time since managing West Brom may be on the cards amid uncertainties surrounding Nuno Espirito’s long-term future at West Ham United.
Premier League return on the horizon?
West Ham United mulled over re-signing Slaven Bilic before turning to Nuno Espirito Santo. The continued interest is understandable, as the Hammers are scouring the market for a new manager amid increasing pressure on Nuno. The Portuguese tactician has struggled to bring the best out of his West Ham charges, winning only two of the 13 games he has overseen.
With the East London outfit struggling to get out of the relegation zone, Nuno Espirito Santo faces an uncertain future at the London Stadium. The Hammers have kept their options open, and Bilic may be a candidate to replace Nuno if the Portuguese tactician leaves in the coming weeks.
The 57-year-old Croatian tactician knows the East London club inside out, with his longest managerial stint coming with West Ham. However, Nuno Espirito Santo is not under immediate pressure at West Ham, and positive results in the coming weeks will loosen the noose.
