Shock Manager On West Ham United Shortlist As Nuno Sacking Considered

A shock name has reportedly emerged on West Ham United’s managerial shortlist should the club decide to make yet another change in the dugout this season.

The Hammers already pulled the trigger once earlier in the campaign, parting company with Graham Potter on September 27 following a dismal start to the Premier League season. In a swift move, the East London side turned to Nuno Espírito Santo, who had only recently been dismissed by Nottingham Forest after a highly publicised fall-out with club owner Evangelos Marinakis.

Nuno arrived at the London Stadium on a three-year contract, carrying a reputation rebuilt during his spell at Forest, where he had guided the club into European competition. West Ham’s hierarchy viewed the Portuguese coach as the man capable of steadying the ship and restoring direction after a turbulent opening to the campaign.

However, the 51-year-old has struggled to make the desired impact since taking charge. Results have been hard to come by, with Nuno managing just two wins from his first 13 matches at the helm. The pressure intensified further on Saturday as West Ham slipped to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Fulham, a result made even more painful by the identity of the goalscorer. Former Wolves striker Raul Jiménez, who thrived under Nuno during their time together at Molineux, struck the decisive blow to deepen the Hammers’ woes and heap more scrutiny on the ex-Tottenham boss.

That defeat has left West Ham rooted in the relegation zone, occupying the final drop spot and sitting five points behind Nottingham Forest in 17th place. With the club’s league position becoming increasingly precarious, questions are growing over whether Nuno will be given sufficient time to turn things around.

According to Give Me Sport, Espírito Santo remains hopeful that reinforcements in the January transfer window could spark a revival. A central midfielder, a defender and a striker are said to be high on his list of priorities, as he looks to address weaknesses across the spine of the team. There are also claims that Nuno is keen on a reunion with Adama Traoré, a player he managed for three seasons at Wolves and one he believes could add pace and unpredictability to West Ham’s attack.

Despite those plans, there is no certainty that Nuno will survive long enough to oversee a January rebuild. With pressure mounting from all sides, West Ham’s board are understood to be considering alternative options should results fail to improve.

As reported by journalist Ben Jacobs, former Hammers player and manager Slaven Bilić has emerged as a potential candidate if the club opts to relieve Espírito Santo of his duties. Bilić, who last managed Al Fateh in Saudi Arabia before leaving the club in 2024, is currently available and familiar with the demands of the Premier League.

Bilić’s name was also reportedly floated by co-owner David Sullivan back in September when Graham Potter was dismissed, highlighting the Croatian’s continued popularity within sections of the club’s hierarchy. During his previous spell at West Ham, Bilić oversaw one of the most memorable periods in recent history, guiding the Hammers to a seventh-place finish in the Premier League in 2016. That campaign saw West Ham register their highest-ever points total and goal tally in a Premier League season, earning qualification for the Europa League.

Despite that success, Bilić was sacked in November 2017 and later went on to manage West Bromwich Albion and Watford during subsequent stints in English football.

Speaking to talkSPORT in November, Bilić revealed that he had been “close” to returning to the London Stadium for a second spell before West Ham ultimately opted to appoint Espírito Santo. He also admitted he was “very excited about the possibility of returning to management” in either the Premier League or the Championship after taking a break from the touchline.

With West Ham’s season delicately poised and the threat of relegation looming large, the coming weeks could prove decisive — both for Nuno Espírito Santo’s future and for the club’s next managerial direction.