Rangers are weighing up their replacement for Russell Martin and West Ham chief David Sullivan may have played a major role in helping make it happen.
West Ham and Rangers fans have a lot in common right now.
Both fanbases have been making their feelings clear about their board after terrible starts to the new season.
West Ham fans have issued a vote of no confidence in their owners and have a series of protests planned.
Rangers supporters have been livid with their hierarchy over the Russell Martin situation.
Potter and Martin worst in history of West Ham and Rangers
Hammers supporters turned on hapless Graham Potter after a recent home defeat to Crystal Palace and he was sacked with the worst win ratio of any West Ham manager in history after just six victories in 25 matches over eight months.
Like Potter in the east end of London, Martin was sacked with the worst ever managerial record in Rangers’ long, proud history too.
After 123 days, Martin was sacked by Rangers following a fifth draw in seven games away to newly promoted Falkirk, the latest chapter in the story of the Ibrox club’s worst league start since 1978.
Potter’s time at West Ham ended with the Englishman being ridiculed online with face swap memes.
Martin’s time at Ibrox ended with him being given a police escort to get away from Falkirk.
West Ham decided to sack Potter after the Palace defeat but had to wait a week before doing the deed as soon as they got the green light to hire Nuno Espirito Santo.
Potter has been tenuously linked with an instant return to management at Rangers.
That’s not going to happen but West Ham have played their part in the situation north of the border it seems.
Rangers have Sullivan to thank with new boss on way
Because Rangers have West Ham chief David Sullivan to thank with a new boss in their sights to replace Martin.
Nuno is already making a very good impression at the London Stadium in two tough games away at Everton and Arsenal.
The way the Portuguese comes across in interviews and his passion and ruthlessness on the sidelines have also gone down well with Hammers fans.
Hammers News exclusively revealed last month that another man in contention to replace Potter at West Ham was Slaven Bilic.
Some at West Ham felt bringing ‘super’ Slaven Bilic back to east London was a risk given he had not worked since leaving Saudi Pro League side Al-Fateh last season.
Others liked the idea of bringing back Bilic’s passion and energy and had fond memories of him leading West Ham’s astonishing Farewell Boleyn campaign.
Sullivan spoke with Bilic about a return and the Croatian was very keen on the idea.
In the end, though, Sullivan decided to go with Nuno – fresh from leading Nottingham Forest back into Europe.
Sullivan’s decision has now had a major domino effect for the Gers.
Because now Bilic is edging closer to being named Martin’s replacement at Ibrox.
Bilic set for Rangers after Sullivan’s West Ham return snub?
Scottish journalist Alan Nixon was the first to reveal West Ham wanted Nuno Espirito Santo – after the 3-0 defeat to Spurs which preceded the Palace defeat.
Nixon also revealed Nuno was edging closer to being named Hammers boss when it was being reported everywhere else that Potter would be given the Everton game.
Now The Sun reporter has revealed Bilic could be set to take over at Rangers after being snubbed by West Ham.
In an exclusive on his Patreon, Nixon says Bilic is now a shock contender to land the Rangers job – after being recommended for the post having come close to a return to West Ham.
Nixon says Bilic was nearly named as Potter’s replacement and is keen to take the Rangers job if offered.
It is also claimed that Bilic’s case is being put to Rangers chiefs by a mystery ‘prominent figure in football’ who has connections with the Glasgow club.
Whether Rangers fans will be thanking Sullivan for snubbing Bilic or not remains to be seen.
If he does land the Gers job, one thing Rangers fans can be assured of is that Bilic will bring passion and attacking football.
Tactically he was eventually found out at West Ham – although he wasn’t helped by a lack of proper backing in terms of recruitment after the Hammers moved to the London Stadium.
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