A major double update has dropped on former West Ham managers Slaven Bilic and Graham Potter after a surprise twist involving Rangers.
The developments could have big implications for both men — and fans won’t believe how their fortunes have turned.
West Ham’s anthem warns any manager ahead of time about the history of this great club.
Fortune’s always hiding and, in fairness, it mostly is for the Hammers.
At Rangers, though, fortune simply cannot go into hiding for too long given the expectation on the Scottish giants to win week in, week out.
West Ham and Rangers have shared a few column inches of late.
Former West Ham managers Potter and Bilic linked with Rangers
Because both Graham Potter and Slaven Bilic have been linked with the vacant ‘Gers post following the sacking of Russell Martin.
Like Potter at West Ham, Martin went down as officially the worst permanent manager in Rangers’ long and proud history.
Martin was sacked by Rangers after just 123 days, following a fifth draw in seven games away to newly promoted Falkirk.
West Ham fans meanwhile gave Potter nine months across the second half of last season and start of this.
But with the team regressing rather than progressing, Hammers supporters turned on Potter after the 2-1 defeat to Palace last month.
He was sacked a week later with Nuno Espirito Santo taking over and charged with saving West Ham’s season.
Rangers have not been quite as swift as the Irons in replacing Martin, though.
Potter was linked with the Rangers job by The Daily Record.
It was stated he was ‘unlikely’ to take the role, though, which opened the door for another former Hammers boss, Slaven Bilic.
Hammers News exclusively revealed last month that Bilic was in the mix to replace Potter at West Ham.
West Ham chief David Sullivan – who is about as popular in the east end of London as Rangers’ owners are in the east end of Glasgow – spoke to Bilic about a return to the London Stadium and the Croatian was very keen.
Major double update on Bilic and Potter after Rangers twist
Ultimately, though, Sullivan decided to go with Nuno and it looked to have cleared the path for Rangers to name Bilic as their new boss instead.
However, a dalliance with Steven Gerrard came to nothing and Rangers are still searching for their next boss with Potter and Bilic still available.
Now there has been a major double update on ex West Ham bosses Bilic and Potter after a Rangers twist.
Bilic went from being favourite to land the Rangers post to being cast aside.
Meanwhile Potter has been linked with numerous roles already, including Sweden.
After appearing to drop out of contention when Rangers moved for Gerrard and Danny Rohl, ex Hammers boss Bilic has re-emerged as a ‘key contender’ to land the role.
BBC Sport and Football Insider claim Bilic is back on for the Rangers hotseat amid delays in trying to lure Kevin Muscat.
Not only that, the man himself has now made it perfectly clear he’s ready to return to management after a year out of work.
“Of course I’m ready for work,” Bilic told Croatian media.
“I’m at a good age and part of me wants to work, but I’m waiting for the right offer. In the meantime, I’m enjoying myself.”
Some at West Ham felt bringing ‘super Slav’ back was a risk given he was found out tactically towards the end of his spell in charge of the club he used to play for.
There were some who liked the idea of Bilic’s passion and energy reigniting something in east London – especially with fond memories of West Ham’s brilliant Farewell Boleyn campaign a decade old.
Bilic back on for Rangers and Potter ‘on brink’ of Sweden job
While Rangers turn back to Bilic, Potter could also be set to land a new role of his own.
Because talks have been held ahead of what is expected to be an official announcement to unveil Potter as Sweden’s new manager up to and – if they qualify – into next summer’s World Cup.
Potter is said to be ‘on the brink’ of the Sweden job after ‘fast-moving talks’ according to the likes of The Sun.
Weeks after being sacked by the Hammers as a complete flop, Potter will somewhat unfathomably be put in charge of one of the most talented European squads tasked with World Cup qualification.
Potter won just six of his 25 games in charge of the Hammers.
Now he must somehow lift Sweden off the bottom of World Cup qualifying Group B where they have taken just one point from four games.
However, Potter knows he has a second bite at the cherry because, having won their Uefa Nations League group, Sweden are still on course for a play-off spot to give them another chance of reaching next summer’s World Cup in North America.
West Ham eyes will now be firmly fixed on how Bilic might fare at Rangers should he land the role and whether Potter was indeed the problem in east London.
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