West Ham United are reportedly looking to replace their 48-year old Croatian manager Slaven Bilic after they have failed to make any progress this season. Reports suggest that Lazio boss Simone Inzaghi is the front runner to replace Bilic at the Olympic Stadium any time now. The Hammers have been inconsistent this season but does Bilic deserve to be axed?
The London outfit finished in the seventh place in the Premier League in the previous campaign and were a part of the Europa League this season. However, they could not take advantage of their new home stadium in the middle of London as they failed to progress from the qualifiers in the European competition. This has created a hostile environment at their new home right from the start of the season and that has played into the slump in form the club has experienced this season.
After a less than mediocre start to the campaign, Slaven Bilic lost a number of star players through injury right from the first game and had to sell his star player Dimitri Payet, after the Frenchman demanded an exit. The manager has not been able to settle into a centre back partnership nor has he been able to field a consistent attacking lineup that can win games for him.
They have now taken four points from their previous two league games, standing in the 13th place, with just 37 points on board. They have little chance of qualification for Europe and though they are safe from relegation, a threat that was looming large not so long ago, the lack of progress this season has seen the West Ham hierarchy decided to scrutinise Bilic’s future at the club.
But let’s be honest, West Ham are far from a club that can compete for a place in the UCL, a competition the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United are struggling to get into this season. Their realistic target most seasons would be to be on the verge of the Europa League but the injuries and loss of form to star players have seen West Ham fail in their endeavour this campaign.
However, in the bigger picture, the Hammers have not been that bad. They are one point better off than this stage in 2011, one point worse off than 2014, and four points worse off than 2013. Bilic’s side are a genuine mid table club with some contentious transfers in the last couple of windows. They have a decent squad that can create an upset or two but failing to qualify for Europe is not a criterion that Bilic should be judged on.
It is just the second season at the club for the Croatian manager and he has already taken them to Europe. So it is not a great sight to see Bilic being kicked out of the Olympic stadium anytime soon. Do you think West Ham should replace Bilic with Inzaghi?