Slaven Bilic’s West Ham edged another point closer to Premier League safety on Saturday after drawing 0-0 away at Stoke.
The Hammers were in danger of being dragged into a relegation dog-fight when they lost five games on the bounce during March and April, but a win over Swansea as well as draws against Sunderland and Everton eased their worries, before Saturday’s point at the bet365 Stadium all but secured their place in the top-flight next term.
Bilic’s men are seven points clear of the bottom three, and with just three matches to go, they know that victory over high-flying Tottenham on Friday night would mathematically end any lingering relegation fears.
And it’s a game which has risen in importance for manager Bilic, with it reported that the Hammers boss needs two good performances from games against Spurs and Liverpool in the coming weeks to keep his job at the London Stadium.
The 48-year-old has overseen a tricky but ultimately disappointing campaign in East London, and with a year left on his current deal at the club, the West Ham hierarchy could take the decision to relieve him of his duties should they stutter to the end of the season.
And if they do indeed sack Bilic this summer, attentions will turn to who they could bring in as his replacement, so here are THREE managers who could take over at West Ham…
Rafa Benitez
Former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez decided to stay on as Newcastle manager despite their relegation from the Premier League last season.
And he has done exactly what he said he would do… take them back up to the top-flight.
The Spaniard has led the Magpies to automatic promotion from the Championship after a fine season in the second tier, yet that doesn’t mean that he’ll remain at the helm next term, as the 57-year-old has made it clear that he needs money to spend to make Newcastle competitive in the Premier League.
And with Magpies owner Mike Ashley not always willing to give his managers the money they need, and with Benitez yet to confirm his future at St James’ Park, West Ham may sense an opportunity.
Benitez has accumulated vast amounts of experience both in England and abroad, and his record is very strong – he could take the Hammers to the next level.
Roberto Mancini
He’s the favourite with several bookmakers, and they rarely get it wrong, which suggests that former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini could be West Ham manager in the near future.
The 52-year-old has been out of work since August 2016 after being sacked by Italian giants Inter Milan, but English fans will remember him best for leading City to their first ever Premier League title following a thrilling final day back in 2012, as well as the FA Cup the season earlier.
Other management stints at Fiorentina, Lazio, and Galatasaray underline his credentials as a manager, and he may well be the man the Hammers need to move up to that next level.
Garry Monk
Former Swansea manager Garry Monk has done an excellent job stabilising things at Leeds United, but their inability to hold onto a play-off place could cost him dearly.
The 38-year-old took over at Elland Road last summer following the departure of Steve Evans, and although he made a slow start to life at the Championship outfit, he steadied the ship and had Leeds in the top six for much of the campaign.
However, recent poor results looks set to cost the Yorkshire club a place in the play-offs, and reports recently suggest that Monk may lose his job as a result, what with Italian businessman Andrea Radrizzani playing a more prominent role behind the scenes after buying a 50% stake in the club back in January.
Yet that could be good news for West Ham, as Monk has previous experience of Premier League football with Swansea, with many seeing the Swans’ decision to part company with him back in December 2015 as particularly harsh.
He probably feels that he has unfinished business in the top tier, and could be the man to replace Bilic at the London Stadium.