West Ham United are reportedly considering Slaven Bilic for a sensational return to the London Stadium if current Hammers boss Graham Potter is shown the door, according to talkSPORT.
Potter is under mounting pressure at Rush Green after overseeing a nightmare run of results since taking charge of West Ham in January.
The former Chelsea manager has managed just six wins in 23 Premier League games, leaving the Hammers languishing at the bottom of the table.
Owner David Sullivan is weighing up options, with Bilic’s name emerging as a potential solution to rescue the side from their early-season slump.
The Croatian remains a cult hero among fans for both his playing days and a memorable spell in charge that delivered a seventh-place finish.
Bilic’s possible appointment would generate excitement among sections of the fanbase, given his history with the club.
However, West Ham’s hierarchy is also believed to be considering other out-of-work candidates, including Nuno Espirito Santo and Sean Dyche, if results do not improve quickly.
Potter’s record has left little room for optimism.
Despite a summer transfer spend of over £100 million, the Hammers opened the campaign with three consecutive defeats.
West Ham suffered a bruising 3-0 loss to newly-promoted Sunderland and a 5-1 thrashing at Chelsea.
The Irons also collapsed against Wolverhampton Wanderers after leading 2-1. West Ham’s last outing ended in a 3-0 defeat to arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Why West Ham must steer clear of Bilic
While Bilic’s name carries weight in East London, a return would be a step backwards. The Hammers should have moved on from the 57-year-old.
His Premier League record speaks for itself. He has 31 wins from 100 games, with 30 draws and 39 defeats.
Since leaving West Ham in 2017, his stints in Saudi Arabia and China have been uninspiring, and he was dismissed from both of his last two jobs in England after poor results.
West Ham need ambition, not nostalgia. Reappointing Bilic may stir emotion, but it reeks of short-termism and backwardness at a time when the club must be looking forward.
Stats from Transfermarkt