2) Sam Allardyce
Big Sam’s appointment at West Ham, as the club had just been relegated to the Championship, drew mixed opinions about the style of football that he was set to bring to the Boleyn Ground, as well as his remarks in the media about “the West Ham way”. What most agreed on, however, was that he was the man to guide the club straight back to the top tier, and that is exactly what he proved to do.
While most expected the Hammers to finish the season as champions, Allardyce and his side ultimately missed out on the top two automatic promotion spots and had to gain promotion via the hard way of the play-offs. After blitzing past Cardiff City in the semi-finals, Blackpool awaited West Ham in the final. Everybody knows what happened here, as Ricardo Vaz Te struck a late winner to send the West Ham faithful in the stands into a state of euphoria, on a day that will live long in the Hammers’ memory.
In the subsequent season, Allardyce consolidated West Ham’s return to the Premier League and led the club to a 10th place finish. This was followed by a 13th place finish and a 12th place finish in his final two seasons at the club.
Big Sam had certainly done his job in East London, but the relationship had also run its course, and the two parties ultimately went their separate ways.
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1) Slaven Bilic
This is a man who will forever hold a place in the hearts of West Ham supporters, as he provided the fanbase with one of the most memorable seasons that the Hammers have ever had.
It was, of course, the final season at the Boleyn Ground, one which needed a fitting tribute to see out ‘The old girl’. While the season was full of hope throughout, West Ham’s glorious efforts during the 2015/2016 campaign ultimately led to no reward at the end of it, exiting the FA Cup at the quarter-final stage and finishing 7th in the league. That didn’t matter to the Hammers faithful, though, as they gained memories that will last a lifetime.
With Dimitri Payet as his secret weapon, Bilic utilized a team that made them a match for any other side in the league. The Hammers gained a number of historic victories during the season, with an opening game 2-0 away win against Arsenal at the Emirates coming first. A 53-year-long wait for a victory at Anfield was put to bed as Bilic’s men triumphed 3-0, along with further victories against Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham.
It wasn’t until the last home game of the season, and the final ever game at the Boleyn Ground, where the everlasting memory with every single West Ham fan resonates, however.
The Hammers hosted Manchester United in what was a thriller of a game, where they ultimately ran out as 3-2 victors to cement their place in East End folklore.
The following season wasn’t as easy for Bilic, as the move across to London Stadium proved tougher than predicted. With Payet’s troubles and ultimate departure in January, the Croat did well to guide West Ham to 11th position. The 2017/2018 proved to be his final campaign in charge, though, as his tactics and team selections were scrutinized as his side found themselves slumped in the relegation zone before his eventual sacking in November.