Slaven Bilic sees odds slashed for Championship manager’s job as new favourite installed
Slaven Bilic could be set for an imminent return to management in the Championship.
The Croatian has had stints in the second tier with both Watford and West Brom in recent years, having previously led West Ham to a seventh-placed finish in the Premier League in 2015-16.
Football Insider revealed earlier in January that Bilic would accept an offer from West Ham to return and help out amid pressure on Nuno Espirito Santo, but that possibility has since faded somewhat.
A return to the Championship now looks increasingly likely for the 57-year-old, as speculation linking him to an imminent appointment refuses to go away.
Slaven Bilic could become new Blackburn boss
Bilic is on Blackburn Rovers’ radar as they assess their options following their decision to sack Valerien Ismael earlier this week.
The Lancashire outfit parted company with the Frenchman after a defeat to Hull City last weekend, and the team immediately responded to his departure by beating Sheffield Wednesday under interim boss Damien Johnson on Tuesday.
That victory lifted Blackburn out of the Championship’s relegation zone on goal difference, as they continue to hunt for a new manager to step into the role vacated by Ismael.
Bilic saw his odds slashed to take the vacant Blackburn role slashed down to 6/1 by one major bookmaker on Wednesday, shortly before Robbie Savage was then installed as the new favourite for the position.
The likes of Chris Coleman and David Wagner are also thought to be in the frame for the Championship strugglers, who are desperately trying to avoid slipping into the third tier.
Robbie Savage has reservations about Blackburn job
Football Insider revealed on Wednesday that Savage is a top contender for the Blackburn job, but it has already become clear that he may have reservations about taking the job if he gets the chance.
The 51-year-old has Forest Green firmly in play-off contention in the National League after he was appointed in the summer, but he has previously suggested that he is not yet ready for a significant rise up the leagues.
Savage admitted on the Feast of Football podcast back in September that he feels he is “a million miles away” from being a Championship manager.
“I’m a million miles away from being a league [EFL] manager, a Championship manager, Premier League manager, Wales manager,” he said.
“If somebody said to me now, right, go and manage a team in the Championship in front of 25,000 fans, I’m not ready.
“I would turn them down because I’m not ready. I need to do well for Forest Green and show the faith they’ve shown in me and I’m going to make loads of mistakes.”
The Welshman may have altered his stance somewhat given the success that he has enjoyed at The New Lawn this season, but if those reservations still persist, it would be a huge surprise to see him accept the chance to take over at Blackburn.