Perhaps the most fickle job in football is the job of the manager. The managerial sack is a term that has become so common that is almost casually attached to any manager passing through a lean patch and a story develops around it. However, it is also the most sought-after job simply because it offers glamour of the highest level.
The manager brings to the club with his plans and strategies and devises tactics and shoulders the blame and success of the club alike. If he is successful, he becomes the hero but if he fails to deliver, he is simply sacked, with a message of formal gratitude. His previous record, image, abilities; nothing is considered when the sack comes.
The truth of the football world is that it comes for all; even the Special One knows the drill.
Slaven Bilic, the West Ham United gaffer has seen his team get off to a shaky start this season. Friday’s 3-0 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion only complicated matters further for the Croatian. The surprising comeback win against Tottenham Hotspur in the London derby in the Carabao Cup may provide Bilic with some respite but it will surely be temporary.
Unless he continues to improve the quality of the performances, which has dropped at an alarming rate, it is looking gloomy for his future at West Ham United. The weekend league clash against bottom-placed Crystal Palace is going to provide Bilic the perfect platform to perform and bring his side back to winning ways in the league. Otherwise, we might as well see the fourth sack of the season.
Bilic’s uncertain future has put a new story into motion. It is now being reported that Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri is set to take over the hot seat at West Ham United. The 58-year old has managed 18 clubs since his management career started back in 1990. Sarri has led Napoli to the top of the Serie A this season and his team has played some scintillating attacking football to get there.
29 goals in 10 matches resulting in nine wins and one draw means that Sarri’s team has been frighteningly good and the manager takes away most of the credit deservingly, as should be the case always.
The Napoli boss only has a release clause in his contract worth £7.5m. This is a feasible amount for a club like West Ham United and will most likely encourage the London outfit, should they opt to move for the Italian.
It would definitely prove to be a smart move with Bilic seemingly running out of ideas and Sarri would find it hard to resist the luring temptation of managing in England. However, convincing Sarri to leave the Serie A side would prove to be difficult given Napoli’s current form.
But do you think West Ham should go all in for Sarri?
