West Ham announce Bilic as new boss

West Ham United have named Slaven Bilić as their new manager. The former Croat player also had a stint at Upton Park during the 1996/97 season where he endeared himself to the West Ham supporters.

After extensive interviews and a process which saw them linked with everyone from Rafa Benitez to Unai Emery, the Irons appointed the 46-year-old Bilić on Tuesday afternoon.

Bilić replaces Sam Allardyce, who left West Ham at the end of the season when his contract was not renewed.

Bilić’s managerial experience includes a 6 year successful stint with the Croatian National Football Team and club level experience in Croatia with Hajduk Split, Russia with Lokomotiv Moscow and his most recent, manager of Beşiktaş for 2 seasons which was yet again a successful stint.

With West Ham looking to participate in European football once again ahead of their move to the London Olympic Stadium, managerial change was needed.

West Ham owner David Gold had previously indicated the club were determined to “bring in an established manager who has been there and done it”.

“It would be lovely to have someone with West Ham history,” Gold had already said in an interview on the club’s official website.

Unlike his predecessor at West Ham, Bilić would not experience a rocky relation that Sam Allardyce had to endure. He promises to bring a more attacking style of play, which is what both the club supporters and the board want. It was something that Big Sam could not provide, resulting in Allardyce and the club agreeing to part ways in December itself.

Bilić’s management style of in-depth studies before tough matches with his squad, as well as combining his passion for music into motivational talks may inspire the Hammers to fight their way to European football in the upcoming season.