Bilic the favourite as West Ham prepare to announce new boss
WEST Ham expect to appoint a new manager by tomorrow at the latest, with former Hammers defender Slaven Bilic widely considered the favourite to succeed Sam Allardyce.
The club took the unusual step yesterday of confirming that an appointment was imminent, following days of intensive talks, and indicating that it would come in the next 48 hours.
Marseille’s Chilean coach Marcelo Bielsa is the other name heavily linked with the Upton Park vacancy.
“West Ham United’s search for a new manager looks to be entering its final stages, with the club hoping to make an announcement within the next 48 hours,” they said in a statement. “The board cleared their diaries and spent the weekend meeting and interviewing applicants and, with the shortlist now narrowed down, talks are entering an advanced stage with the favoured candidates.”
Former Croatia, West Ham and Everton defender Bilic, who has also managed his national team, left Turkish club Besiktas at the end of the season after two years in charge.
Much-travelled Bielsa, 59, has also managed Chile, Argentina and Athletic Bilbao.
West Ham are under pressure to find a new boss soon as Europa League commitments mean their season is due to start on 2 July.