Bilic in crisis talks — or is it just another act?
WeST HaM’S board do not like to sack managers. Strangely, though, they are happy to give the impression that they do.
even before Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at newcastle, there was unchecked speculation over the future of Slaven Bilic, and that has only intensified in the wake of a result that leaves the club bottom going into the international break.
Bilic flew to Marbella yesterday, to meet his employers and discuss the way forward. The word is that he will be given more time — yet somehow all of this detail, the doubts, the talks, the fragile way ahead, leaks out.
It is the same every season. Yet co- owners David Sullivan and David Gold are far from impulsive. They saw the club go down rather than make an early call on avram Grant when they could have brought in Sam allardyce before the January transfer window that year. Then, prior to Bilic, allardyce’s contract was simply allowed to run out. Unless complete disaster is looming — and, remember, West Ham haven’t played a home game yet and are bedding in a number of new signings — it is probable the same will happen to Bilic.
rafa Benitez’s name is mentioned, and he was clearly the prime target when allardyce left, but the numbers would be huge. as well as Bilic’s compensation, and Benitez’s contract, there is the small matter of £ 6million compensation to newcastle. Ball park? around £25m. no doubt that is one of the reasons for boardroom patience.
So, if the options are prohibitively expensive, why allow this uncertainty? It cannot be helpful to a dressing room already short of confidence.
It cannot aid a manager still trying to recruit players, or impress his authority on an ill-disciplined team. It is almost as if the board want to appease the fans — to be seen to do something, to show they care.
Still, at least this run has put to bed the nonsense that West Ham’s form last season was the fault of the olympic Stadium. It turns out the players do not like any stadium, not just their own. Maybe they could play on gravel.