West Ham will target Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez should they sack beleaguered Slaven Bilic
Hammers to make a second move for Spaniard after losing out to Real Madrid two years ago
WEST HAM will attempt to lure Rafa Benitez to the east London for the second time should Slaven Bilic be axed this summer.
The Hammers are without a win in five matches as they continue to plummet down the table.
SunSport revealed Bilic would be fired unless he halts his side’s slide and secures a top ten finish in the Premier League.
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And the Daily Mirror claim Newcastle manager Benitez, who looks likely to lead the Championship-leaders to promotion, is the man they want to replace him
West Ham first approached the Spaniard two years ago, but he rejected their advances to take charge of Real Madrid.
However, Benitez was frustrated with the lack of financial backing by the Magpies board in January and his long-term future at St James’ Park is still uncertain.
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He remains well-thought by Hammers joint-chairman David Sullivan and is the No1 target to take over at London Stadium.
Speaking back in 2015, Sullivan said: “We were two hours from getting Benitez and then Real came in.
“We had agreed a contract and everything.
“He is a top manager, whatever anybody says, and I think he’d have done a wonderful job for us.”
Former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is another name in the frame.
He is currently a free agent after being sacked by Inter Milan last August.