EPL 2016/17: West Ham United target Newcastle United's Rafael Benitez

Benitez has led Newcastle to the top of the Championship table

West Ham United boss Slaven Bilic is under fire after the club’s woeful run in the Premier League this season. The West Ham board has, it seems, already added current Newcastle  United manager Rafael Benitez to their shortlist if they go ahead and axe Bilic, according to Mirror Sport. Benitez is a prime candidate for the job and rightfully so, since he has a lot of managerial experience at the top level.

The Spaniard has also turned around the fortunes of Newcastle who were relegated last season. Newcastle United are currently leading the Championship and have been a dominant force in the Championship under Benitez, who has become a much-loved figure at the club.

Surprisingly, the former Liverpool and Chelsea manager was about to be named manager of West Ham back in 2015 with most of the contract work done, however, Benitez ended up joining Real Madrid that season.

After the appointment of Slaven Bilic the previous season, the Hammers showed exemplary performances and were even in the race for top 4 for quite some time. The team looked assured in both the defence and attacking departments and Bilic was hailed for turning things around.

However, this form did not carry on to the next season as West Ham made the switch from Upton Park to the new London Stadium. It looks like the Hammers left not only tradition but even in their sizzling form at the old stadium. West Ham have kept a grand total of 3 cleansheets in their league campaign and have not won even once in their last 5 fixtures.

Their misery further intensified after getting hammered by London rivals Arsenal 1-5 at home.

The London club currently sits at the 17^th spot on the points table after a dismal campaign this season. West Ham have been hovering in and around the relegation zone for the most part of the season and Bilic looks quite out of sorts at the time being.

Their defence has shipped in goals like never before and the team have scored only 17 times in 15 games in the league. Although the West Ham board have been extremely patient with the manager, it seems that time is running out for him since the team has absolutely shown no desire and grit this season.

West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan has publicly backed the under-fire manager and Bilic will have to do his best to ensure that he matches the expectations of the board if he wants to continue as manager.