West Ham could delay offering Slaven Bilic a new contract until middle of next season

West Ham could delay offering manager Slaven Bilic a new contract until the middle of next season following a worrying dip in form.

Bilic will be in the final season of his current contract and although there is little appetite from within the club for making a change, co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold are growing increasingly concerned about the team’s results.

There were suggestions in February, when West Ham had climbed into the top half of the table, that the club were on the verge of offering the Croatian a new, improved deal but that has not materialised.

It is normal practice for Sullivan, Gold and vice-chairman Karren Brady to conduct a review of the club’s fortunes at the end of the season and Bilic’s future is sure to be high on the list.

Bilic remains popular with the board and supporters for what he achieved in his first season and there is understanding that this season, especially following the move to the London Stadium and the Dimitri Payet controversy, has been anything but straightforward.

Following the 3-2 home defeat by Leicester, Sullivan apologised to the club's fans, saying: "I think all we can do after Saturday's defeat is say sorry to the supporters.

"To be 2-0 down after seven minutes of any football match, be it in the Premier League or in your local Sunday League, makes it very difficult to get a positive result.

It followed similar remarks after a loss to Bournemouth, coming via the official website, insisting upon an improvement from all involved and name-checking Bilic.

"I was very disappointed and frustrated with the manner of our defeat at Bournemouth on Saturday," Sullivan said.

"We went down there determined to bounce back from the Chelsea defeat on Monday, but we didn't play as well as we know we can.

"Slaven, the players and the staff all know we have to do better."

Bilic, though, insisted at the time he did not feel under added pressure following Sullivan's remarks.

He said: "It was a comment for that game and for that game I also said we can't be happy with the way we performed."