By DOMINIC KING
Published: 13:58 EDT, 18 September 2025 | Updated: 14:00 EDT, 18 September 2025
Slaven Bilic will be considered for an emotional return to West Ham United as the pressure around Graham Potter's position intensifies.
Potter has endured a dreadful start to the season, with his team losing three of their first four Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the table and suffering elimination from the EFL Cup, too.
There is mounting discontent amongst supporters about the way the club is being run by major shareholder David Sullivan and the atmosphere inside the London Stadium on Saturday for the game against Crystal Palace will be challenging.
It is understood Potter will not lose his job if the FA Cup holders become the latest team to beat West Ham but he is running out of time and the fixtures at Everton and Arsenal that follow will have a significant bearing on his future.
West Ham want Potter, who was only appointed on January 9 on a two-and-a-half year deal, to turn things around but a contingency plan is being drawn should the worst scenario unfold.
This has led West Ham to consider Bilic - a hugely popular figure with fans - for a short-term managerial role. He would be available with immediate effect.
Slaven Bilic will be considered for an emotional return to West Ham United as the pressure around Graham Potter 's position intensifies
Potter has endured a dreadful start to the season, with his team losing three of their first four Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the table
Nuno Espirito Santo, who recently parted company with Nottingham Forest, would also be in contention but the possibility of a move for Bilic would have potentially unifying benefits.
Bilic had two seasons at the helm from 2015 to 2017, among which he oversaw Premier League wins at Anfield and the Etihad Stadium, led West Ham to the Europa League play-offs and coaxed outstanding form out of fan favourite Dimitri Payet.
The Croatian, who was loved during his playing days at Upton Park, feels as if he has unfinished business with West Ham. His most recent job was in Saudi Arabia with Al-Fateh.