Who are the bookies’ favourites to replace Slaven Bilic at West Ham?

Add as preferred source on Google

Marcelo Bielsa and Rudi Garcia – 10/1

Joint third favourites are two more foreign managers, Marcelo Bielsa and Rudi Garcia, at 10/1. Bielsa carries a lot of appeal due to early success in Argentina, winning domestic titles before leading the national side to Olympic glory in 2004.

The Argentine has become something of a cult hero during his time in management, partly due to his unpredictability, both on the pitch and off it. His last job, at Lazio, lasted just two days before he infamously quit, whilst a spell at Olympique de Marseille ended after a conflict with the club’s management.

Garcia, meanwhile, is the current Marseille boss, having been brought in immediately when Frank McCourt purchased the club in October. Prior to joining Les Olympiens, the 53-year-old had a mixed spell at Roma. In 13/14 the Frenchman won his first 10 Serie A matches, setting a league record, conceding just a single goal in that spell. However, by the season’s end, his side were second and 17 points behind Juventus.

Embed from Getty Images

Garcia’s second year in Italy’s capital saw the exact same result as the first, runners-up in Serie A, 17 points behind Juventus. He was sacked the following season.

Both these managers offer experience at top continental clubs, sides competing in European competition like West Ham aspire to. Bielsa has the advantage of having been in international management but is something of an unknown in terms of planning for longevity at a club.

Embed from Getty Images

The same can be said of Garcia, yet he usually isn’t accused of causing the problems. He is also unlikely to leave Marseille, with the new owner showing plenty of ambition, whilst backing it up with funds.

Other names worth a mention are Rafa Benitez (11/1), Alan Pardew, Frank Lampard and Harry Redknapp, all at 14/1.

Frank Lampard would be a huge gamble on an ex-player with no managerial experience and is unlikely to be considered yet. Harry Redknapp is an interesting proposition, and would no doubt be divisive within the club’s fanbase if he were to return for a second spell.

Featured Image: all rights reserved by Alex Hannam