Slaven Bilic insists he will not quit as West Ham manager despite disastrous Brighton defeat
Club’s poor results are taking their toll on Bilic even though he is still being backed by the Hammers’ board – for now
SLAVEN BILIC says he will not walk away from West Ham.
The Hammers boss admits his job is hanging in the balance after a disastrous campaign that hit a new low with Friday’s 3-0 home defeat to Brighton.
Bilic met with joint-chairman David Sullivan after that loss and knows he must turn things around quickly, starting with tonight’s Carabao Cup clash at Tottenham.
But the manager insists he is the right man for the job - and that quitting has not crossed his mind.
He said: “I am never, never, never walking away. I never walked away in my life. So there is no problem with my motivation and dedication for the club.
"You ask me about Koeman, there are always three, four, five managers in those positions and I'm definitely one of them.
"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.
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"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.
"I didn't need the chairman to tell me. We were talking about the situation and we agreed we have to get points very, very soon.
“A lot of people think I should consider myself lucky to be here. But a lot think differently and that I deserve to be here.
“But the only way that I can turn it that direction if we start to get better results.
“It is my job and a job I like to do especially in the place that I feel, after my home town, is special. I played here and all that.
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“Do I need it? Let’s not be that dark. It is a great job. It is a great job, you have your ups and downs. But you are in football.It is all what we adore.”
Ronald Koeman’s sacking at Everton this week increased the focus on Bilic with tonight’s trip to Wembley followed by Saturday’s visit to bottom club Crystal Palace.
And while the Croatian is grateful for Sullivan’s support, he knows the patience of the Hammers board will only last so long.
He said: "He's been backing the team, backing me, but of course we were talking about situations (after the Brighton game).
"He didn't tell me where we are because he also knows I know.
"It was no different to any other. It's not like a monologue. We were talking about the situation and we agreed we have to get points very, very soon."
“It’s very important couple games for us, but after that it’s going to be a couple of very important games again.”
West Ham's players held their own meeting at the training ground on Monday in an effort to turn their form around.
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Bilic added: "They had a meeting. I know about that of course. First I had a meeting with (captain) Mark (Noble). Before that I had a long meeting with my colleagues.
"Then they had a meeting which I find very positive. We also know the situation. It is serious."
Andy Carroll returns from suspension but Michail Antonio is out with a rib problem.