Bilic could have one match to save his job

The Telegraph is currently reporting that the board is currently exploring options to replace Slaven Bilić if the Hammers lose to Swansea City on the weekend. The team is at home against 18th placed Swansea and a win would stop a slide that has reached seven games without a win and a five game losing streak after losing to Arsenal on Wednesday night. Bilić has been under pressure, and it is likely that with a loss on Saturday, he would be facing the sack.

The board are reportedly loathe to make a permanent replacement with only a few games left in the season, but they may feel they have no choice if the team keeps losing, especially against a team that is below the Hammers in the table. Given that the team is now in a relegation scrap, any and all points would be valuable in the effort to stay up. The turnaround at Leicester City, where the team has won five straight after sacking Claudio Ranieri, has apparently impressed the decision makers at West Ham.

While the team may be looking at making a change after Saturday, none of the current backroom staff are believed to be options, with only Terry Westley, the current academy director, thought to be an option. Westley has managed the team once, in summer 2015, for a home Europa League qualifier as Bilić was unavailable for the match.

Even with a win, Bilic may not be safe in the long term. The Telegraph reports “The club would not be subject to onerous compensation payments were they to sack Bilic after the weekend, and it is understood they would not be obliged to pay anything at all were they to dismiss the 48-year-old in the summer with a year of his contract left.” While it is too early to speculate about the possible replacements, David Wagner of Huddersfield Town is reportedly a target.