Shock Manager On West Ham United Shortlist As Nuno Sacking Considered

A surprise manager is on West Ham's shortlist if they decide to sack their second manager of the season, reports claim.

The Irons sacked Graham Potter in September 27 after a poor start to the season and immediately replaced him with Nuno Espirito Santo, who had just been given the boot at Nottingham Forest following a fall-out with manager Evangelos Marinakis.

The Portuguese signed a three-year contract and after guiding Forest into Europe, was picked out as the coach who could get West Ham back on track.

However, the 51-year-old has not been able to have an impact at the East London club, winning just two of his 13 games in charge.

West Ham were beaten 1-0 by Fulham on Saturday, with Raul Jimenez, Nuno's former No.9 at Wolves, scoring the winner to put more pressure on the ex Spurs boss.

Occupying the final relegation spot, the Hammers are five points adrift of Forest in 17th.

Nuno Espirito Santo has won just two games in 13. Image: Getty

According to Give Me Sport, Nuno is hopeful that new recruits in the January transfer window will help him improve results and move West Ham up the table - with a central midfielder, defender and a striker high on the list of priorities.

There are also claims that he wants to reunite Adama Traore, who he managed for three seasons.

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West Ham's potential managerial candidate emerges

However, at the same time, with pressure increasing, there is no guarantee that Espirito Santo will remain in the hotseat at the London Stadium.

As per Ben Jacobs, West Ham could turn to former player and manager Slaven Bilic if they opt to relieve Espirito Santo of his duties.

Bilic's last management job saw him coach Al Fateh in Saudi Arabia, leaving the club in 2024.

When Potter got the boot in September, Bilic's name is said to have been mentioned by co-owner David Sullivan.

Bilic guided West Ham to seventh in the Premier League in his first spell. Image: Getty

Bilic led West Ham to seventh place in the Premier League in 2016, accruing the club's highest number of points and highest number of goals scored in a Premier League season and leading them into Europa League qualifying.

He was sacked in November 2017 and the former Croatia boss later took charge of both West Brom and Watford in England.

In November, Bilic told talkSPORT he was "close" to taking the reins at West Ham for a second time before Espirito Santo got the job.

He said was "very excited about the possibility of returning to management" in the Premier League or Championship after a break from the touchline.