West Ham United could be looking to replace Slaven Bilic already.
According to The Mirror, West Ham United are already considering options to replace Slaven Bilic after two defeats from two games to start the Premier League season.
The Hammers splashed the cash this summer to bring the likes of Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta, Marko Arnautovic and Javier Hernandez to the London Stadium, with three of those arriving having previously won the Premier League title.
After a disappointing season last term, which was marred by Dimitri Payet’s exit and the growing pains of moving into a new stadium, manager Bilic was backed rather than sacked – but so far, there has been little change for the Hammers.
West Ham opened their season with a 4-0 thrashing at Manchester United, before a dramatic defeat at Southampton on Saturday, as having come from 2-0 down with ten men to be drawing 2-2, the Hammers gave away a late penalty and lost 3-2.
Results and performances haven’t picked up even with the new signings, and The Mirror now report that West Ham are already considering other managers to replace Bilic should the poor form continue.
Bilic arrived from Besiktas in 2015 having previously played for West Ham, and whilst he enjoyed a superb first season with the club, the last year has been difficult for the Croatian – and the Hammers may have one target in mind already.
It’s claimed that, despite snubbing the club in 2015, West Ham remain keen on Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez, and could look to raid the Magpies for the Spaniard’s services as a replacement for Bilic, especially with Benitez frustrated at Newcastle’s lack of transfer activity.
Ultimately, it would be knee-jerk reaction from West Ham to sack Bilic right now, as he still needs time to bed his new signings in and get the likes of Manuel Lanzini and Andy Carroll back to full fitness, and whilst David Gold and David Sullivan may still like Benitez, they should give Bilic more time to get the Hammers back on track after a battling display at Southampton – though the reports may serve as a warning to the West Ham boss about his long-term future.
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