Just over a year ago, Slaven Bilic could seemingly do no wrong at West Ham United; The Hammers were a qualification tie away from the Europa League and were fresh off a seventh place Premier League finish and, in Dimitri Payet, had one of the most exciting playmakers in Europe.
Bilic's performance in his first season as West Ham manager had earned him plaudits from the club's fans and pundits and then, last season, everything began to fall apart.
West Ham were overturned by Astra Giurgiu in their Europa League qualifier, they slumped from defeat to defeat in the Premier League as Bilic's team struggled to adjust to their new London Stadium home. Oh and in January, Dimitri Payet forced a move back to Marseille.
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The Hammers would finish last season in 11th place, 17 points worse off than the season before and have now started the new campaign with three straight defeats, conceding 10 goals in the process and scoring just twice.
Bilic has overseen a disappointing last year at West Ham and the Hammers have started the new season with three straight defeats. Image: PA
Bilic has come under increased pressure after a disappointing last year, coupled with the terrible start to this season and a slew of questionable signings and may now be replaced by a Premier League winning manager should the Hammers continue to struggle.
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According to Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol, former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is top of David Sullivan and David Gold's list to replace the Croatian coach should results not improve.
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Mancini led City to the 2011 FA Cup and 2012 Premier League title before being sacked a year later, with City tamely surrendering the league title back to rivals Manchester United before losing to Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup final.
Could Roberto Mancini be set for a return to the Premier League, this season? Image: PA
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Since his tenure at Eastlands came to an end, Mancini has managed Galatasaray, briefly returned to Internazionale and now finds himself in charge of Zenit St Petersburg, in Russia.
West Ham's first home game of the new Premier League campaign, against unbeaten Huddersfield Town on Monday night, could be the most crucial of Bilic's reign at the London Stadium. Another defeat may see Mancini receiving a phone call from Gold and Sullivan on Tuesday morning.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Football, roberto mancini, Slaven Bilic, West Ham United