Former West Ham United captain Alvin Martin would like to see Slaven Bilic succeed Sam Allardyce as manager.

Besiktas coach Bilic is among the contenders for the Irons post.

Martin told the Daily Star Sunday: "I wouldn't rule Slaven out of it. He's been around the game for a while now.

"He's proved he could do it at international level with Croatia and now he's done it at club level in difficult circumstances with Besiktas in Turkey.

"I know him. He's a highly intelligent and highly motivated individual.

"I think he would be absolutely perfect for the West Ham job. Slaven is the outstanding candidate for me. I've got a lot of respect for Rafa Benitez because you have to, given what he has achieved in the game.

"But would he be using West Ham to get himself another job down the line? I don't know.

"I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case."