Bilic can help to build bridges for Hammers

WiLL Slaven Bilic still be manager at West ham next season? There is no certainty. each time there has been a slump in form in this campaign, he is said to be on borrowed time. he only has a year left on his contract, and there have as yet been no discussions about an extension.

Sam Allardyce, his predecessor, left on a handshake, after West ham allowed his contract to expire. Maybe that is the plan with Bilic, too — or maybe the board want a more immediate change.

They need to be careful. replacing Allardyce was a largely popular decision. The fans were grateful to him for winning promotion and keeping the club in the Premier League, but were frustrated by the quality of football and a disappointing end to the 2014-15 season. There was no great resistance to the board’s judgement.

it would be different if Bilic was sacked. Against Tottenham on Friday, his name was sung at the London Stadium long before Manuel Lanzini scored the winning goal.

it was the same as West ham plummeted down the table earlier in the season. Bilic’s stock stayed high.

Fans like him and see him as a West ham man; they admire his emotion and honesty, too. in difficult circumstances this season, he is considered to have done a reasonable job.

it would be easier if the move to the new ground had been well received. As it is, bridges are still being built with those who are disgruntled to have left Upton Park. Losing a popular manager would be seen as further evidence that West ham are becoming a corporate entity. Certainly, any change would have to represent a significant upgrade for it to fly.

West ham aimed high after Allardyce, approaching Jurgen Klopp and coming close to an agreement with rafa Benitez. it would need to be a replacement of that nature if the decision is to convince.

To dump Bilic simply for a flavour of the month appointment could drive another wedge between board and fans, at the moment when a corner may have been turned.