Declan Rice has already admitted he ‘loves’ manager West Ham could be about to appoint

Declan Rice has already admitted he ‘loves’ manager West Ham could be about to appoint

Declan Rice has already admitted he ‘loves’ manager West Ham could be about to appoint


Nuno Espírito Santo is edging closer to the exit at the London Stadium, with West Ham facing the possibility of appointing their third manager of the season.

The Hammers suffered another setback on Saturday, falling to a 1–0 defeat against Fulham — a result that leaves them five points adrift of Premier League safety. Raul Jiménez struck late in the game, heading home in the 85th minute as Nuno’s side once again struggled to create chances in attack.

With relegation fears growing, West Ham’s hierarchy may soon decide that a change in the dugout is unavoidable. That decision could see a familiar name return to east London.

Slaven Bilic emerges as potential replacement

Slaven Bilic is once again being linked with the West Ham job. When Graham Potter was dismissed earlier this season, the former Hammers boss was among the leading candidates to take over.

Bilic, who played for the club in 1996 and later managed them between 2015 and 2017, remains a popular figure among supporters. With pressure mounting on Nuno, the Croatian has re-emerged as a possible short-term solution as the club assess their options.

The 57-year-old would reportedly be open to returning to the London Stadium on a deal until the end of the season if an offer were made.

What Declan Rice has said about Bilic

Former West Ham captain Declan Rice has previously spoken highly of Bilic, crediting him for giving young players opportunities. The midfielder made his senior debut under the Croatian during the 2016–17 campaign.

Speaking in 2018, Rice said he “loved” playing under Bilic and praised him for trusting academy players and understanding the club’s culture due to his own history with West Ham.

Another former skipper, Mark Noble, has also spoken positively about Bilic in the past, highlighting his character and approachable nature following his arrival in 2015.

Despite the warm memories, appointing Bilic would still represent a gamble given West Ham’s precarious position in the table. Failure to make an immediate impact could see the club dragged closer to relegation — and potentially back into the Championship.


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