I NEVER GIVE UP, VOWS BESIEGED BILIC
WEST HAM manager Slaven Bilic believes his strength in adversity will shine through in a ‘do-or-die’ situation amid speculation that his future depends on West Ham’s result at Crystal Palace on Saturday.
It is understood that Bilic’s job is safe regardless of the result at Tottenham in the Carabao Cup tonight, but everything will be on the line three days later against bottom-of-the-table Palace.
After a 3-0 defeat at home by Brighton last Friday, West Ham are level on points with 18th-placed Everton and only three teams have conceded more goals in the Premier League.
West Ham’s board have so far remained loyal despite Everton and Leicester dismissing Ronald Koeman and Craig Shakespeare respectively.
‘It is nice to feel that backing from the co- chairman (David Sullivan),’ Bilic said. ‘I cannot say I’ve had anything but support from him, both in great times and bad times. He is a very stable person.’
The West Ham manager knows, however, that things must improve. Bilic confirmed Sports
mail’s story that captain Mark Noble had called the players in for a crisis meeting after the Brighton game, describing the feedback he had from the conversation as ‘very positive’.
‘I’m very realistic,’ Bilic said. ‘You know what’s happening around you. In Koeman’s case. it’s like his credit has gone in no time. But after Claudio Ranieri, nothing surprises me.
‘There are always three, four, five managers in those positions and I’m definitely one of them. Does it make me lose focus? No, it gives me even more. I never gave up in my career, no matter in which part of life, as a parent, as a friend, as a manager. That’s my biggest strength, to be strong in hard times. Now I’m having a hard time.
‘That doesn’t scare me. I’m 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.’
Bilic has Andy Carroll available after the striker’s suspension but Michail Antonio is out with a rib problem. Spanish goalkeeper Adrian will take Joe Hart’s place.
For Bilic, this is only the latest in a string of high- pressure matches over the last year where his job has been in peril.
He said: ‘I think about this all the time. Every time we were in a do- or- die situation, we’ve won. Was it Palace last season away? Was it two home games against Burnley and Hull in the space of a few days? Was it the game against Swansea at home, then Spurs at home? Every time we had to do it, we’ve done it.’
Meanwhile, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has revealed his club have not pursued signing Harry Kane because he would cost €250million (£223m). ‘Signing Harry Kane has not passed through my head,’ Perez told Spanish radio station Cadena COPE. ‘He is a great player and in addition he is young. He has many years to progress, but we are delighted with (Karim) Benzema and with all of the team.
‘ I didn’t ask Tottenham’s president for the price because he would have told me that Kane is worth €250m.’