Steely Slaven Hammers back!
I’ve a reason for not being at Europa dugout, Bilic answers critic
LONDON: Slaven Bilic has hit back after being slammed for not being in the dugout for West Ham’s Europa League opener.
The Hammers’ new boss was blasted for showing a lack of respect after he watched his side from the stands as they beat Andorran minnows FC Lusitans 3-0 at Upton Park on Thursday.
Lusitans boss Xavi Roura was upset at the decision but Bilic said: “I didn’t want to disrespect anyone and especially not a team from Andorra as I respect them big time.”
Bilic had returned from the club’s Irish training camp in Cork, where the majority of the first team are based.
After being unveiled on the pitch, he sat in the director’s box and left team duties to Academy coach Terry Westley.
Bilic said: “I was thinking about the best way to manage the game and the training camp we have.
“I wanted to show respect to Terry as he coached this team and he took them for pre-season in Ireland and knew them all well.
“Also the majority of the first team is in Ireland, so that was behind our decision.
“I don’t really like this kind of situation with one half of the team in Ireland and one half in England but it will be that way until after we play our second leg in Andorra next week.
“That was the only option because of the early qualification rounds and the fact that players needed rest ahead of the Premier League season.
“I don’t like the situation but we can’t get away from it.
“It was good for the senior players to have a game and it was good for the youngsters to play in front of a full stadium on a big European night.
“I am really pleased with the way they played.”
Bilic is likely to stay away from Andorra next week which is set to anger the Lusitans boss further.
Roura said: “Slaven Bilic showed a lack of respect by not being on the bench.
“It does make me sad, in a country where fair play was invented, that something like this could happen.
“I think he must have thought our team was not important for him to be present.”
Midfielder Diego Poyet has revealed West Ham’s young stars are hoping to get into Bilic’s “good books” – and force their way into the team.
The midfielder, 20, admitted Bilic has already made his mark.
Poyet, who played in the win over Lusitans, said: “If you are a young player and not playing in the first team, as soon as there is a new manager, the thing you want to do is impress. In a way, to get into his good books so that he trusts you. That is the important thing.
“He has charisma, it is exciting for everyone.
“It is a change and maybe there will be new things to come.
“He has a different style of play. It is a sign for the club.” — The Sun, London
He (Bilic) has charisma, it is exciting for everyone. It is a change and maybe there will be new things to come. He has a di erent style of play. It is a sign for the club. Diego Poyet