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Manager reveals he was almost appointed as West Ham United boss

Return that stirred memories

When Slaven Bilic admits “There was a bit, yeah, there was a bit,” the phrasing is disarmingly understated for a story that reached the heart of West Ham United’s identity crisis. A manager who once delivered their best league finish in 14 years, a figure woven into the club’s modern folklore, quietly confirming he was close to a return after Graham Potter’s dismissal. TalkSport’s reporting made clear that the club’s hierarchy, and in particular David Sullivan, considered bringing him back eight years after sacking him.

For a club occupying 18th in the Premier League and wrestling with confidence, the notion of Bilic stepping in felt almost like a throwback to steadier days. His sacking in 2017, after a 4-1 defeat to Liverpool, had come after “39th defeat in 111 matches”, but time has softened those details. It is the memories of seventh place in 2016, the final season at Upton Park, and the emotional connection that define how supporters remember him.

What happened instead

TalkSport reported in September that Bilic was genuinely considered for the job. Yet, less than three weeks after leaving Nottingham Forest, it was Nuno Espirito Santo who took the post. Bilic, speaking on the same channel, offered sincere respect for the Portuguese coach. “They got Nuno, who was a top manager and who’d done a great job at Wolves, not to mention Forest,” he said.

His assessment extended to Nuno’s turbulent start and the subsequent recovery. “After first couple of games that they were struggling also with the system and there were some players who were out of position,” Bilic noted, before crediting the turnaround. “Last couple of games, he put out a strong team and it clicked and six points in two games [wins against Newcastle and Burnley]. He is top manager and I think they’re gonna be okay this season.”

It was generous, insightful and characteristic of a man still admired in East London.

Bilic’s desire for England return

The Croatian also made clear that his own ambitions remain firmly tied to English football. “I mean, who doesn’t, you know?” he said when asked if he wanted to return. He expanded on the point with conviction. “Of course, I am very excited about the possibility of returning to management, Premier League or Championship with a good club that has ambitions to go up.”

Bilic referenced his time at West Brom and his earlier Premier League work to underline his credentials. “With my knowledge, with my experience, with my pedigree, I think that I would be able to steer the right club back into the Premier League.”

After leaving Al Fateh in August 2024, and with a brief spell at Watford preceding it, he now watches the Premier League from the outside, waiting for the right opening.

Current West Ham landscape

West Ham’s rise in form has steadied nerves slightly, with those wins over Newcastle and Burnley offering something tangible. Yet, sitting in 18th, the challenge remains substantial. Bournemouth away, followed by hosting Liverpool and then trips to Manchester United and Brighton, illustrate the scale of the task ahead.

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For many West Ham fans, the idea of Bilic returning was never simply about managerial recruitment. It touched on emotion, memory and the desire for stability in a season offering very little of it. His comments, especially “I was close or whatever, but I didn’t get the job,” will only reinforce how close the club came to a reunion that feels, in hindsight, both romantic and risky.

Supporters remember the electricity of 2015-16, the farewell to Upton Park, the swagger of victories that felt rooted in identity. In a campaign where the team have slipped to 18th, those memories feel painfully distant. Yet, sentiment alone cannot run a Premier League club. Many fans would admit that bringing Bilic back might have offered warmth rather than certainty.

Nuno’s early inconsistency reflects the wider issues in the squad, and Bilic’s praise, “He is top manager and I think they’re gonna be okay this season,” has been taken positively by supporters who appreciate his candour. Still, those same supporters also know that optimism has become fragile currency.

For West Ham fans, this report confirms two truths. First, Bilic remains deeply respected and perhaps always will be. Second, the club’s future requires structural solidity rather than nostalgia. The fixture list is unforgiving, and loyalty alone cannot pull West Ham out of 18th.

Many supporters will keep Bilic in their hearts, but their eyes must remain on the present. The only way to honour those past highs is to survive this season and rebuild properly.