Slaven Bilic and Avram Grant in frame to become West Ham manager

11 May 2010 17:24
There is no shortage of candidates for the east London club to consider as they seek their fourth manager in as many years. Telegraph Sport examines the men most likely to move in at Upton Park. [LNB]Slaven Bilic [LNB] Related ArticlesWest Ham sack Gianfranco ZolaZola was a dead man walking at West HamWest Ham season reviewWest Ham in Olympic Stadium talks with AEGWest Ham 2012 stadium bid 'credible'Kieron Dyer tops huge West Ham payrollPros: The Croatia manager is a firm favourite with West Ham fans during his spell at the club as a player between 1997 and 1998. His managerial reputation began to take off when he led a hugely talented Croatian side to the Euro 2008 finals, sealing qualification with a memorable 3-2 win over England at Wembley. His relaxed style and personable nature make him a firm favourite with players, supporters and media alike. [LNB]Cons: Bilic's stock is not quite as high now as it was on that sodden evening in north London in November 2007. Croatia exited Euro 2008 at the quarter-final stage a disappointment given the sky-high expectations before the tournament and the country failed to even secure a play-off spot in qualifying for South Africa 2010, having leaked nine goals in two games to England. He is also chronically short of club managerial experience. [LNB]Avram Grant[LNB]Pros: The Israeli has undergone an almost complete rehabilitation in recent months, transforming himself from the grey blur who failed to deliver the Champions League to Chelsea to beloved Man of the People at stricken Portsmouth. His achievement in taking Pompey to the FA Cup final in the face of desperate financial problems cannot be overstated and he has developed a lighter touch to his dealings with the media since relocating to the south coast. [LNB]Cons: For all that, Grant's appointment is unlikely to prompt rooftop celebrations down Green Street. West Ham fans are innately suspicious of anything that has once been clad in Chelsea blue and many will remain unconvinced by Grant's ability to take their club to the next level. It is certainly true that, in England at least, Grant has developed an unwanted reputation as a nearly man, although this week's FA Cup final could change that. [LNB]Mark Hughes[LNB]Pros: Hughes is immediately available, having been out of work since leaving Manchester City in December, and seems to represent a happy marriage of gnarled Premier League experience and youthful vigour. The Welshman has been in demand since his messy exit from Eastlands and was heavily courted by Galatasaray and Hull City. He rejected both although he might consider that West Ham offers a grander stage for his talents. [LNB]Cons: The former Manchester United striker still has a bitter taste in his mouth from his treatment by City and might wonder whether accepting a job from Sullivan and Gold, whose brutal treatment of Zola has shocked many fans, would simply set himself up for another grisly fate. Hughes' largely successful stint at City was also pockmarked with disputes with senior players, raising question marks over his man-management skills. [LNB]Glenn Hoddle[LNB]Pros: The former England manager is a disciple of the kind of free-flowing football which traditionally has Upton Park purring and Hoddle's coaching abilities have never been in doubt. He is liked and respected by Sullivan and Gold and is known to be desperate to return to a Premier League dug-out, having already flirted with taking over Nigeria. [LNB]Cons: Another Chelsea blue-blood, although that is less of an issue than the amount of time he has spent out of the game almost four years. Question marks also remain over whether Hoddle, one of the most gifted players of his generation, can successfully impart his wisdom to less talented footballers an accusation that haunts him from his England days. [LNB]Gregorio Manzano [LNB]Pros: The Mallorca manager is the left field candidate, should Sullivan and Gold decide to look abroad, although his credentials are impeccable. The 54 year-old has taken Mallorca, one of La Liga's lightweights, to the brink of qualification for the Champions League on a shoestring budget, a quality which should appeal to the West Ham board. [LNB]Cons: Gregorio, who? It might not be fair but, with the exception of a select handful, foreign managers do not tend to be granted the time or sympathy routinely afforded to native coaches and Manzano would be unlikely to enjoy a warm east end welcome if he was appointed. His lack of experience outside Spain would also count against him. [LNB]

Source: Telegraph