The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Slaven Bilic

  • West Ham sends Slaven Bilic packing

    West Ham sends Slaven Bilic packing

     

    Slaven Bilic has been shown the door  by West Ham after leading his side to only two wins in 11 Premier League matches.

    The Hammers’ only victories of the campaign have come at home to newly promoted Huddersfield Town and struggling Swansea City, the latter courtesy of a 90th-minute winner.

    Bilic’s time appeared to be running short when Brighton and Hove Albion stormed to a 3-0 win at the London Stadium on October 20, before his players threw away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 at bottom club Crystal Palace.

    And the former defender’s fate was sealed by a sound 4-1 beating at the hands of Liverpool on Saturday, ending a reign that started in June 2015 and yielded seventh and eighth-place finishes in the top flight.

    Former Everton and Sunderland manager David Moyes is widely reported to be in line to replace Bilic, who leaves with West Ham 18th in the Premier League.

    “West Ham United can confirm that Slaven Bilic has today left his position with the club,” a West Ham statement read.

    “The chairmen and board of West Ham United would like to place on record their thanks and gratitude to Slaven and his team for their services over the past two-and-a-half years, but believe a change is now necessary in order for the club to move forward positively and in line with their ambition.

    “West Ham United can confirm that Bilic’s coaching assistants Nikola Jurcevic, Edin Terzic, Julian Dicks and Miljenko Rak have also left the club with immediate effect.

    “The club’s search for a new manager to take West Ham United forward is underway and an announcement regarding Bilic’s successor is expected to be made over the coming days.”

    West Ham visit Watford on November 19 after the international break, with that game seemingly set to be the first test for Moyes – who parted company with Sunderland following their relegation from the Premier League last season – should he get the job.

    Moyes replaced Sam Allardyce at the Stadium of Light in July last year, but the former Everton and Manchester United boss claimed just six league wins in his time on Wearside as they finished bottom of the table.

  • West Ham’s Bilic says pressure spurs him on to improve

    West Ham’s Bilic says pressure spurs him on to improve

    West Ham United manager, Slaven Bilic admits he is one of many Premier League managers facing speculation over their futures, but the Croat said the pressure makes him more determined to improve results.

    Everton’s Ronald Koeman became the third managerial casualty of the Premier League season on Monday.

    And Bilic is at risk of suffering the same fate if he does not turn things around after last Friday’s 3-0 home loss to Brighton and Hove Albion.

    West Ham are 16th in the table with eight points from nine games, but Bilic said he would not walk away from the challenge.

    “You ask me about Koeman, there are always three, four, five managers in those positions and I‘m definitely one of them,” Bilic said ahead of the League Cup fourth round clash at Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.

    “Does it make me lose my focus? No, it gives you even more. I never gave up in my career, no matter in which way of life, as a parent, as a friend, as a manager.

    “I am never, never, never walking away… It is my job and a job I like to do especially in a place that I feel, after my hometown, is like few other places, you are treated special.”

    British media reports said West Ham’s owners have given Bilic the next two games to turn things around and save his job, but the 49-year-old is not worried.

    “That’s my biggest strength, to be strong in hard times. Now I‘m having a hard time, yes I am. That doesn’t scare me.”

    After the clash against Tottenham at Wembley, West Ham travel to basement side Crystal Palace in the league.

    Palace have just one win in nine games so far.

    NAN

  • West Ham boss confirms Emenike interest

    West Ham boss confirms Emenike interest

    West Ham manager, Slaven Bilic, has confirmed the club is looking at Nigeria striker Emmanuel Emenike as a possible signing in this transfer window.

    Emenike has ended his loan stint at Al Ain of Dubai and could join the English Premier League side on loan from Turkish club Fenerbache, africanFootball.com reports.

    “There is a new situation with a couple of our players might leave the club and if that happens then we are going to try to get one in – and Emenike is one of them (we’re looking at). But it is not a done deal.

    “Of course he is a good player. He is one of the players we have been linked with and we will see,” africanFootball.com quoted Bilic as saying on the club’s transfer targets.

     

  • Bilic hails Moses, Sakho’s impact at West Ham

    Bilic hails Moses, Sakho’s impact at West Ham

    West Ham United manager, Slaven Bilic, has heaped praise on attacking pair of Victor Moses and Diafra Sakho, following the club’s 2-1 away victory at Manchester City on Saturday.

    The Nigerian winger and the Senegalese hitman put an end to City’s 11-match winning run in the Premier League, as Yaya Touré and his teammates dropped their first points of the new campaign, africanFootball.com reports.

    Moses put the visitors ahead at the Etihad Stadium with a powerful 20-yard effort after just six minutes, while Sakho doubled their lead just past the half-hour mark.

    However, £55 million summer recruit Kevin De Bruyne pulled a goal back for the Citizens on the stroke of half-time, which didn’t prove enough to deprive the Hammers of the three points.

    “It is great for the club and I am so happy for everyone at West Ham, but especially for the players because you cannot win here without playing well,” africanFootball.com quoted Bilic as saying on the club’s official website.

    “City created some chances and in the second half, the players were fighting like a unit from the goalkeeper to the last man.

    “At times we were lucky but you have to be when you are winning at City’s stadium. Man City is such a massive team.

    “City is by far the best team we have played so far. But we were able to control City’s pressing and we are so happy about it.

    “I am glad for Moses and he is a great asset for us and we are just pleased to have him.

    “Sakho is a great player. Some strikers have to score goals to prove their game. If they don’t score they are not playing, but Diafra doesn’t just have to score goals to play well.

    “When you defend like he does when we don’t have the ball, if anyone deserved the victory it was him.”

  • Bilic hails Moses’ West Ham debut

    Bilic hails Moses’ West Ham debut

    West Ham manager, Slaven Bilic, has said Victor Moses could go on to become a top star in the English Premier League if he settles down at the London club.

    The Super Eagles winger is on loan at West Ham from Chelsea, africanFootball.com reports.

    This is Moses third loan in as many seasons after such stints at Liverpool and Stoke City.

    He impressed on his West Ham debut against Newcastle United on Monday night and he is set to start at Manchester City this weekend.

    A delighted Bilic has now said he hopes Moses’ West Ham arrangement could become long term for the player to establish himself in the EPL.

    “Victor Moses is a class player. He hasn’t had continuity at one club. He didn’t make it at Chelsea, maybe he didn’t make it at Liverpool – which is hard,” Bilic said.

    “But last year at Stoke he was one of the team’s best players. His first game was really good for us. His composure, his linking play and his work rate.”