Swansea manager Paul Clement says pressure on West Ham counterpart Slaven Bilic is 'unfair'

  • Paul Clement says Premier League managers are not being given a fair shot
  • Slaven Bilic is favourite to be sacked next after West Ham's poor start to the term
  • Frank De Boer was sacked after four Premier League games with Crystal Palace
  • Clement says reasons for West Ham's poor start go beyond the manager 

Swansea boss Paul Clement has described Slaven Bilic being tipped as the next Premier League manager to be sacked as 'unfair'.

Bookmakers have installed Bilic as the next top-flight boss to lose his job after West Ham's dismal start to the season.

Clement comes up against Bilic on Saturday with West Ham having dropped into the relegation zone following last weekend's 3-2 home defeat to Tottenham.

West Ham's Slaven Bilic is the favourite to become the next top-flight manager to be sacked

West Ham's Slaven Bilic is the favourite to become the next top-flight manager to be sacked

Season at a glance

  • Premier League
  • Premier League
  • Championship
  • League One
  • League Two
  • Scottish Premiership
  • Scottish Div 1
  • Scottish Div 2
  • Scottish Div 3
  • Ligue 1
  • Serie A
  • La Liga
  • Bundesliga

Crystal Palace sacked Frank de Boer after four games and Clement, like Bilic seeking an upturn in fortunes after Swansea's poor start to the campaign, believes the Croatian has been placed under the microscope unjustly.


'It is unfair that in such a short period that managers are under pressure,' Clement said ahead of Swansea's visit to the London Stadium.

'De Boer has gone after four games and after six we are talking about more managers leaving.

'I know Slaven, I met him when he was at Besiktas and he has a lot of passion and experience. I think the fans like him and his personality.'

The defeat to Spurs - which saw West Ham fight back after falling 3-0 behind - stopped a mini-Hammers revival which had seen them pick up four points from two games.

After opening up with three-straight defeats, West Ham beat Huddersfield at home before drawing at West Brom.

'West Ham have had their own difficulties and their stadium was not available at the start of the season,' Clement said. 'Their first three games were away from home which has not helped them.

'They had a good game against Tottenham and got back in it. But we want to go into the game with a positive line-up that can get the right result.'

Paul Clement talks with his Swansea players ahead of their trip to the London Stadium

Clement talks with his Swansea players ahead of their trip to the London Stadium

Clement may find himself under pressure if the Swans cannot turn their form around soon

Clement may find himself under pressure if the Swans cannot turn their form around soon

Swansea's away form has actually been good with victory at Palace sandwiched by draws at Southampton and Tottenham.

Although Swansea have lost their opening three home league games for the first time, they have yet to concede a goal on the road.

'The away form has been a help,' Clement said. 'We are defending better than we are attacking. We are working on that and I fully believe we will keep improving in that area.

'Defending is a good platform to build your attacking game on and understanding the patterns.

'We have been able to find more space away from home and West Ham will want a win, which might give us room.

'We know we need to be better attacking-wise, but we are just six games into the league season.'

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