Former West Ham United manager could replace Graham Potter in shock move – Report | OneFootball

West Ham Consider Slaven Bilic Return Amid Potter Pressure

Bilic Back in the Frame

West Ham United could be set to bring back Slaven Bilic if Graham Potter’s turbulent tenure ends early. Potter, who was hired on January 9 after his difficult spell at Chelsea, has endured a nightmare start, with only six wins in 23 Premier League games in charge. David Sullivan, the club’s owner, is reportedly weighing up a change in the dugout, with Bilic a strong contender, according to TalkSport.

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Bilic is remembered fondly in East London. As a player he embodied the club’s grit and as a manager he led them to seventh in 2016, their best Premier League finish in a generation. His words on TalkSport reflect his understanding of the unique pressures at West Ham. “West Ham is not the biggest club, of course, but it’s a very popular club… very demanding… suddenly you are in the trouble zone,” he said, acknowledging how quickly pressure can mount at the London Stadium.

Potter’s Struggles Continue

Potter’s side have endured a grim run of results this season. Defeats to Sunderland, Chelsea and Wolves set the tone, with the latter loss coming after they had led 2-1. A brief revival came with a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest, but Spurs swiftly sent them back into crisis with a dominant victory. TalkSport report that Potter is now the betting favourite to be the next Premier League manager sacked, and the atmosphere around the club is described as “completely negative.”

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Sullivan’s Options

Bilic is not the only candidate on the shortlist. Out-of-work coaches Nuno Espirito Santo and Sean Dyche are also said to have been discussed. Bilic, though, has the advantage of knowing the club’s culture, having overseen the difficult transition from Upton Park to the London Stadium. He said: “Make no mistake how difficult it is to move stadiums… West Ham needed a few seasons to get used to it.”

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Searching for Stability

Since Bilic’s departure, the Hammers have struggled to find a manager capable of balancing expectation with results. David Moyes brought stability and even glory, delivering a European trophy in 2023, but after his exit in 2024, Julen Lopetegui’s reign lasted just 22 games. Potter was meant to be the progressive appointment, but with the club back near the relegation places, patience is running thin.

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This potential return for Bilic would be met with cautious optimism. Many still have fond memories of his time in charge, not just for the seventh-place finish but for the style of football and the emotional farewell to Upton Park. There is a sense that he “gets” the club in a way that some of his successors never quite did.

However, there will also be apprehension. Football has moved on since Bilic last managed in the Premier League and some fans fear it could be a sentimental appointment rather than a strategic one. The squad is different, the stadium move is now well behind them, and the club needs a manager who can provide a modern tactical plan, not just nostalgia.

For many supporters, the priority is survival and stability. If Bilic can provide that, along with a connection to the fanbase, then perhaps this is the right call. But the club cannot afford to get this wrong. Another failed managerial experiment would only drag West Ham deeper into trouble, making the job even harder for whoever comes next.