Slaven Bilic looks set to be ruled out of a possible West Ham return after talks and now he could rival them for promotion back to the Premier League instead.
The Hammers have two games to try and avoid relegation to the Championship.
Much of the blame for West Ham’s predicament has been laid at the door of the owners and Graham Potter.
When West Ham sacked Potter back in September, co-owner David Sullivan was reportedly pushing to bring back Slaven Bilic.
Bilic ruled out of West Ham return with new job talks planned
The Croatian oversaw one of the most memorable seasons in West Ham history when he led the team to within four points of the Champions League during the Farewell Boleyn campaign.
Bilic has never hit the heights he experienced in his first season with the Hammers since departing the club he also represented as a player.
How do you FEEL about West Ham wanting to keep Nuno next season? 😳
When the Irons struggled to adapt after the controversial move to the London Stadium, Bilic was sacked – but always insisted he felt he had ‘unfinished business’ at the club.
It looked like Bilic might get the opportunity to finish that business earlier this season.
Hammers News exclusively revealed back in September that Bilic was in the mix to replace Potter at West Ham.
Talks were held with Bilic and he was keen to return to the club in a bid to try and secure survival.
Nuno Espirito Santo got the gig instead, though.
With the Hammers in danger of being relegated from the Premier League, many feel Bilic might be the ideal candidate to help the club back into the top flight.
Hammers could Bilic threat with Blackburn
Especially as Hammers News understands Nuno will definitely leave if West Ham drop.
But Bilic looks set to be ruled out of a West Ham return after talks and could rival them instead.
Oh wow 👀 How has Tottenham’s draw with Leeds made YOU feel about the relegation battle?!
This weirdly feels like a boost?
With the possibility of landing the West Ham job earlier this season, Bilic reportedly snubbed taking over Blackburn Rovers.
The former Premier League champions managed to survive in the Championship by the skin of their teeth.
If West Ham are contemplating turning to Bilic this summer then they had better let him know.
Because journalist Alan Nixon has revealed on his Patreon that Blackburn Rovers are opening new talks with Bilic about a managerial return.
Nixon says Bilic informed Blackburn he wanted to wait until this summer before considering the job, if it was still available.
Now Rovers will speak to him direct about a return to management.
While others are in the mix for the Blackburn job, Bilic appears to be the preferred candidate.
So instead of a West Ham return, Bilic could be coming up against his former club next season as a potential promotion rival.
On the whole, West Ham fans were lukewarm about the prospect of re-appointing Bilic earlier this season.
While supporters love his passion and desire, some feel the 57-year-old is lacking tactically.
Bilic does have pedigree in the Championship, though, having led West Brom back to the Premier League via automatic promotion back in 2020.
The ex Hammers boss also had a spell in charge of Watford in the Championship but lasted just six months having won only 10 and losing nine of his 26 games in charge.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
