West Ham appoint Slaven Bilic as new manager

In preparation for their plans to go forward and make it big next season, West Ham United appointed former footballer Slaven Bilic. The Croatian will be succeeding Sam Allardyce, who left the team when his contract expired last May, having a dismal second half of the season and inharmonious relationship with fans.

The Hammers have finished 12th in the latest edition of the English Premier League and qualified for the 2015–16 UEFA Europa League. Bilic has his work cut out for him as the club played their last season in the Upton Park before moving to the Olympic Stadium on 2016. They have secured a 99-year lease deal on the 2012 Olympic venue last March 22, 2013.

The 46-year old has played for West Ham as a defender for a year, having appeared 48 times and scoring twice. He has also coached his country’s national team for 7 years and recently managed Turkish sports club, Beşiktaş. Bilic’s contract reportedly includes a three-year deal.

“My first priority when choosing a club is to look at its ambitions,” Bilic said on the club website. “(The owners) made clear that it is not only the fantastic new stadium we are moving into, but they showed their determination and ambition to make what is a big club even bigger.

“I saw their determination and passion that they want to do that. That was the No. 1 reason. I could feel that they really wanted me, so it was an easy choice.”

Lokomotiv Moscow’s former manager also added, “I remember West Ham as a special club,” Bilic said. “It is a great place to play and I felt like I was at home. It is a big privilege and a big responsibility to now be manager.”

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