Ex-Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini the front-runner to replace Slaven Bilic at West Ham
Rafa Benitez still favourite to be next at London Stadium as Bilic pins his hopes on a fit Andy Carroll riding to his rescue
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FORMER Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has emerged as a front-runner to replace Slaven Bilic at West Ham.
According to the Evening Standard, the Zenit St Petersburg boss is second favourite behind Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez should Bilic be given the chop.
Bilic is truly under pressure following three successive Premier League defeats, albeit away from home while their own stadium is re-configured following the World Athletics Championships.
And one more loss against Huddersfield in a week’s time could spell the end for former Hammers’ and Everton central defender Bilic.
West Ham’s last defeat was, coincidentally at Newcastle, where they were walloped by Newcastle 3-0.
Bilic, the former Croatia head coach, was a popular choice when he succeeded Sam Allardyce.
But a spate of poor signings, not to mention bad results, have watered down his good-feel factor.
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His situation has definitely position not been helped by co-owner David Sullivan revealing some intriguing inside transfer deadline day news.
Bilic is said to have turned down Grzegorz Krychowiak - who went to West Bromwich on loan from Paris Saint-Germain - and Renato Sanches, who joined Swansea from Bayern Munich for the season.
Under-fire Bilic looks to be clinging to the hope that the return of injury-prone Andy Caroll will save him.
Former Newcastle and Liverpool striker Carroll is in contention to face unbeaten Huddersfield on Monday.
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In contrast to the struggling Hammers the newly-promoted Terriers come to the capital with two victories and a draw under their belts.
So Bilic and Co. face a stern test against a side brimming with confidence under the guidance of David Wagner.
But with a fit-again Carroll leading the line, or even coming off the bench as a goal scoring threat, West Ham stand a far better chance of securing a morale-boosting result.
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