WEST Ham may have to look past Slaven Bilic if they do decide to dispense of the services of manager Alan Curbishley.

The former Hammers defender had been billed as the hot favourite in the media last week to take over from under fire boss Curbishley if the east Londoners decided to call time on the ex-Charlton man's reign in charge at Upton Park.

Curbs had been feeling the heat of late after a recent woeful run of three consecutive 4-0 defeats, although a 2-1 win over a gritty Blackburn arrested the slide at the weekend.

But despite that result Bilic's name was still being linked with the post, having enjoyed huge success as coach of Croatia. He famously masterminded England's exit from this year's European Championships, as his homeland booked their place in the final's this summer.

The Croatian FA are however desperate to hang onto their man and have offered him a bumper new contract, as his current deal expires in the summer. Bilic recently admitted to talks with Bundesliga outfit Hamburg.

But Croatian FA secretary general Zorislav Srebic said: "I'm 90 percent sure we'll sign a new agreement."