5 possible Slaven Bilic replacements for West Ham

Slaven Bilic could soon be sacked as the West Ham manager.

As the sword of uncertainty hangs over West Ham boss Slaven Bilic’s head, it seems like a matter of time before the Croatian gets the sack. And after the recent defeat to Newcastle, it sounds more like a case of when rather than if, as to when a new man will replace Bilic at the helm of affairs at the club from East London.

Currently rock bottom in the Premier League, the Hammers are yet to get a point from the first three games and things aren’t looking bright after last season’s 11th placed finish. And with West Ham fans running out of patience and Bilic running out of time already, it’s time the David Sullivan starts hunting about for replacements.

We run the rule over managers who can replace Slaven Bilic at West Ham, once the 48-year-old departs.

#5 Alan Pardew

Alan Pardew has managed West Ham earlier

It’s not a rare occurrence to see Alan Pardew get linked to a club once their manager gets sacked. But could the former Newcastle boss do it again?

Currently a part of the experts’ panel at Sky Sports, Pardew boasts of a vast amount of experience of managing mid-table clubs like the Magpies and the Eagles and also has the know-how of pulling clubs out of danger. And danger is what the Hammers are currently in and while his approach may not be too attractive, but it does the job when it’s needed.

Things did go downhill during the fag end of his reigns at both Palace and Newcastle, but he does the trick when a side is in need of immediate solutions.

It won’t be the most attractive of solutions, but the Englishman can do a decent job.

#4 Ryan Giggs

Manchester United v Arsenal - Premier League

The only managerial job that Ryan Giggs has taken up is the role of the assistant manager under Louis van Gaal at Manchester United. But he has the know how of football and how it works from top to bottom.

He is another one of those people who has drawn links to every club once their manager gets sacked. Be it Middlesbrough last season or Swansea City on two occasions, Giggs landed neither of the jobs and still works as an expert. He has previously made it clear that he wants to return to management and a club like West Ham would be testing for someone like him. He will have a good side at his disposal and very few hate him.

And the respect he commands can play a vital role in making him an eventual success at the London based side.

#3 Slavisa Jokanovic

Jokanovic is a loved figure by the West Ham bosses

The current Fulham manager could already have been a West Ham boss now, if things had gone another way last season, but the Hammers’ board still likes him a lot. He could well be the man to replace Slaven Bilic.

He may not have got Fulham promoted right after coming in or after two years of his stay there, but he was the man who took Watford back up the Premier League back in 2015. He has brought in an element of stability at Fulham and this could well be the season when he brings the Cottagers back into the first division.

The Serbian has loads of managerial experience, having managed Thailand, Bulgaria and Spain and that could well act as a vital factor in tilting the decision towards him.

He may not be the most well known of choices, but it could certainly work out.

#2 David Wagner

Wagner helped Huddersfield get to the Premier League for the first time in their history

The name David Wagner is certainly a new one for Premier League fans, but the German has already made an impact there and elsewhere.

Responsible for bringing Huddersfield into the Premier League, Wagner always gives you a feeling of freshness and enthusiasm and those abilities are how the Terriers came back up after ousting Reading in the Playoff Final last season. Having worked under Jurgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund previously, Wagner was in charge of BVB II for four years and has the know how of winning games with the teams he has.

Huddersfield will certainly feel looted, but David Wagner could well end up at the Olympic Stadium soon.

#1 Rafael Benitez

West Ham bosses admire Rafael Benitez

If reports are to be believed, Rafa Benitez is the favourite to replace Bilic if the Croatian is axed from the helm of affairs at West Ham. And he could be popular and the perfect choice indeed.

While he failed to keep Newcastle in the 2015-16 season after he was given the last few games, he stuck around and brought them right back up after winning the Championship last season. Benitez’s managerial exploits are well documented and hardly need explanation.

However, what he brings to the table is immense pragmatism to win games when a side is really in need of it. West Ham need to win games quickly and that’s not happening at the moment.

Benitez’s style can be negative and demanding, but history suggests that it has done the job quite a few times. It would be a bit of a surprise to see Benitez leave the St.James Park, but things can change quickly in football.