Former Hammers boss Slaven Bilic is odds-on to succeed Mark Hughes as manager of Stoke City.
The 49-year-old was fired by West Ham in November following a poor start to the current campaign. However he could be set to return to management within the next few days according to the bookies.Embed from Getty Images
Bilic, who has remained in London with his family is currently 4/5 favourite to succeed Hughes, closely followed in the betting by Gary Rowett and former Leicester and Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill.
However it is understood that the Croat has also been contacted by Football Australia with view to taking the vacant managerial position with the Socceroos, which was recently vacated by Ange Postecoglou.
Speaking recently to the media, Bilic insisted that he was ready to take up his next role in management following his departure from West Ham.
"I know where I stand in the map of world managers," he told the Mail. "I can afford a break but can’t switch off my phone for a year like Guardiola or Mourinho.
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“I was at West Ham only a few weeks ago. On the other hand, I feel so rested. I am ready. You don’t always realise your batteries need recharging when you are in the middle of everything.
"It’s always better to go into a job at the start of the season but football can’t be perfect. If the right one comes next week, it’s something that comes. I have proved myself here in England; I don’t feel like a stranger."
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