Slaven Bilic – West Ham United
The 2016-17 season is a year of great expectations for West Ham United. The Hammers finished seventh in the Premier League the previous season after an attacking resurgence led by midfielder Dimitri Payet.
A move into London’s Olympic Stadium and qualification for the UEFA Europa League seemed to have manager Slaven Bilic and West Ham poised for greater success. Unfortunately, the current campaign has not gone according to plan.
Elimination before the Europa League group stage and currently only a point above the relegation zone have their manager under an immense amount of pressure. The odd part is that one of the team’s strengths from last year has suddenly become a weakness.
Croatia’s national team manager for six years, Bilic had stops in Russia and Turkey before arriving at the Boleyn Ground in the summer of 2015. Taking over for the departing Sam Allardyce, Bilic was able to get the West Ham attack firing on all cylinders.
The club scored more goals and earned more points than any other season in their Premier League history. However, this current campaign has seen forwards struggle to find the back of the net and Payet’s play more inconsistent.
Defensive mistakes have cost the club as well and Slaven Bilic has much work to do in early 2017 to turn things around for West Ham United.