Hammers appoint Slaven Bilic as new manager

West Ham United have appointed former player Slaven Bilic as their new manager on a three year deal, replacing Sam Allardyce after his departure at the end of the season.

Bilic has maintained as fearsome a reputation off the pitch as he had on the pitch during his career, which included 55 games for the Hammers and 44 international caps for Croatia.

The former hard-man defender most recently was in charge at Turkish club Besiktas but he left at the end of their club season, taking over the reins at the Hammers as they prepare themselves to move away from Upton Park for a move into the Olympic Stadium the following season.

Bilic also had a six year spell as manager of his native Croatia, leading them to two European Championship tournament’s in 2008 and 2012, losing just eight games as manager during his tenure.

After leaving his position as Croatia manager, Bilic took over at Lokomotiv Moscow, but was sacked in his debut season after finishing 9th.

From there, he spent two seasons at Turkish club Besiktas, but failed to win the league or quality for next season’s Champions League.

 

Despite his fearsome reputation, the 46 year old is also widely known for his methods of preparation for his side’s and will likely bring a more attacking minded outlook for a West Ham side that finished 12th in the Premier League this season.

Bilic told the club’s official website: “It is a great place to play and I felt like I was at home,” Bilic said of his appointment at West Ham.

“It is a big privilege and a big responsibility to now be manager and I hope that I will prove it to the board, players and fans.

“When I spoke to the chairmen and Karren Brady, they made clear that it is not only the fantastic new [Olympic] Stadium we are moving into, but they showed their determination and ambition to make what is a big club even bigger.

“I could feel that they really wanted me so it was an easy choice. I would say to the West Ham fans that I will give my best and together we will achieve great things.

“I remember West Ham as a special club. My last club, Besiktas, was that kind of club. It’s not about the size – there is something special about them – they are a cult club.”

This will be the Croatians first venture into management in England, but the move is already a positive one from many Hammers fans.