A stunning new West Ham claim has been made about former Hammers boss Slaven Bilic after a huge twist to his candidacy for the Blackburn Rovers job.
Former West Ham boss Slaven Bilic has been the frontrunner to take over at Blackburn Rovers after they sacked head coach Valerien Ismael following a bad run of form which has left them in a relegation battle.
The Hammers know all about a relegation battle as they sit in 18th place in the Premier League, six points adrift of Nottingham Forest in the safety of 17th.
With 14 games to go the heat is on Nuno Espirito Santo, who must pull off another great escape of epic proportions if West Ham are to survive.
Bilic has endured a difficult time of things since leaving West Ham and the Blackburn job would represent his most attractive since Watford and West Brom.
Bilic was frontrunner for Blackburn job after West Ham snub
The straight-talking Croatian has never quite hit the heights he experienced in his first season with the Hammers, who he also represented as a player.
Bilic oversaw one of the most memorable seasons in West Ham history when he led the team to within four points of the Champions League during the Farewell Boleyn campaign.
What message do YOU have for Nuno ahead of Saturday’s Burnley clash? 💡
Tell us your demands
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo, the manager of West Ham, shakes hands with Manager Scott Parker, the manager of Burnley, after the final whistle during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Burnley at the London Stadium in Stratford, England, on November 8, 2025.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
When West Ham struggled to adapt after the controversial move to the London Stadium, Bilic was sacked. But he always insisted he had unfinished business at the club.
It looked like he may get the chance to finish that business back in September.
Hammers News exclusively revealed Bilic was in the mix to replace Graham Potter at West Ham.
Slaven Bilic when manager of Watford vs Preston North End
Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images
West Ham chief David Sullivan maintains a good relationship with Bilic, as the former Hammers boss has admitted as much himself lately.
Sullivan spoke to Bilic about a return to the London Stadium when Potter was being sacked, and the Croatian was very keen.
Ultimately, though, Sullivan decided to go with Nuno Espirito Santo instead.
But now a stunning new West Ham claim has emerged about Bilic and the Blackburn job.
The West Ham board have warned Nuno that the Burnley clash is a must-win.
Stunning new West Ham claim emerges about Bilic and Blackburn
It comes after The Athletic confirmed this week that Nuno can be sacked without compensation if West Ham are relegated to join the likes of Blackburn Rovers – providing they survive themselves – in the Championship.
It was one of the clauses in the three-year contract the Portuguese signed with the Hammers in September.
West Ham are in EXACTLY the same position as in their ‘Great Escape’ season! ⚡
What is your favourite memory of that 2007 escape?
Carlos Tevez of West Ham celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Barclays Premiership match between West Ham United and Middlesbrough at Upton Park on March 31, 2007 in London, England. West Ham United's English striker #20 Jarrod Bowen celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge in London on January 31, 2026.
And that clause appears to very much be impacting Blackburn’s hunt for a new manager.
Journalist Alan Nixon was the first to reveal West Ham were appointing Nuno as their replacement for Potter.
Nuno Espirito Santo reacts during West Ham's Premier League game with Wolves.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
He has claimed that Blackburn have held talks with Bilic about becoming their new boss.
Nixon says Bilic is available and open to work and that Blackburn made contact via middle men, including a relative.
But Blackburn have received ‘mixed signals’ and Bilic has been ‘elusive’ for concrete talks over taking the Ewood Park hotseat, which has led to Gary Rowett emerging as a leading contender.
Now Nixon has revealed the reason behind Bilic’s behaviour in light of Blackburn’s advances.
Bilic waiting for West Ham job in summer, claims journalist
Because he has been made aware of possible bigger jobs coming up – including West Ham.
In fact, it is claimed Bilic has made it clear he wants to wait until the summer before deciding whether he wants the Blackburn job because he is waiting for the West Ham job if they are relegated.
Nixon says leading the Hammers back to the Premier League is more appealing to Bilic than all the uncertainties at Blackburn.
Bilic, like the rest of the football world now, will be aware West Ham can let Nuno go with no compensation if the club does suffer relegation.
Former Sun journalist Nixon has doubled down, saying ex Irons boss Bilic has a second stint at West Ham ‘firmly in his sights’.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox