Bilic succeeds Allardyce at Hammers

Slaven Bilic is in no doubt he has joined a club with a bright future after being named the new manager of West Ham on a three-year deal.

The former Croatia national team manager, 46, has been confirmed as successor to Sam Allardyce, whose contract was not renewed.

Bilic, who also had spells in charge of Lokomotiv Moscow and more recently Besiktas, is the man now tasked with guiding the Hammers into the Olympic Stadium for the start of the 2016-17 campaign.

The former West Ham defender, who spent 18 months at the club from January 1996 before joining Everton, is in no doubt of the potential he is taking on. He said: “It’s a big challenge and we are competing with the best. What bet-ter club to do it with than West Ham.

“I remember West Ham as a special club. I love these kinds of special clubs. My last club, Besiktas, was that kind of club. It’s not about the size – West Ham is a big club – there is something special about them.

“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 and I hope that I will prove it to the board, players and supporters.”

Bilic added:“My first pri-ority when choosing a club is to look at its ambitions. When I spoke to the chairmen and (vice chair) Karren Brady they 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 number one reason. I could feel that they really wanted me so it was an easy choice.”

Slaven Bilic