Slaven vows to ride out storm as axe hovers
Hoffenheim boss Julian Nagelsmann. However, Bilic admits he is just grateful that Sullivan
has not already axed him. “Yes, it is nice to feel that backing from the chairman,” said Bilic.
“I cannot say I’ve had anything but support from him, both in great times or bad times.
“He is a very stable person, he wasn’t over the moon when we were really good. He is very stable now too. But, yes, I know we have to improve our results.”
Bilic, who will bring in Adrian for struggling goalkeeper Joe Hart in the fourth-round tie against Spurs, also revealed that it was skipper Mark Noble’s idea to get the players together on Monday.
Bilic said: “First I had a meeting with Mark. Before that, a long meeting with my colleagues. Then they had a meeting, which I find very positive.
“We all know the situation. It is serious. We have to play better and get points, especially from our home games.”
Bilic claims knocking London rivals Tottenham out of the Carabao Cup at Wembley could be the turning point of REAL Madrid president Florentino Perez has no plans to sign Tottenham striker Harry Kane. Perez has not enquired about Kane as he believes Spurs would demand a world-record fee. Madrid have been linked with Kane, 24, after head coach Zinedine Zidane praised him before Spurs’ trip to the Bernabeu in the Champions League last week. But Perez told a Spanish radio station he had no doubt Spurs would demand a fee in excess of the £200.6million paid by Paris SaintGermain to bring in their season. He said: “Exactly, that’s our chance. The chance is not coming in a couple of weeks’ time. It’s now.
“This situation is a really good thing. We now have to lift ourselves.”
But Hammers misfit Diafra Sakho has given Bilic another headache by insisting he still wants to leave despite the club blocking a deadline-day move to Rennes.
The Senegal striker said: “I still want to leave. I don’t hide it.
“Fans happy or not, I want to change my environment. Going to France would be a good challenge.
“Both clubs agreed I could go to do the medicals but West Ham didn’t find a replacement.
“That didn’t change my desire to leave. The manager didn’t convince me.” Neymar from Barcelona in the summer. “Signing Harry Kane has not passed through my head,” said Perez. “He is a magnificent player and in addition is young.
“He has many years before him to progress. But we are delighted with the team we have, including Karim Benzema.”
Asked if he had spoken to Spurs chairman Daniel Levy about Kane, Perez said: “No, because if I ask, he’ll tell me 250million euros (£223million).” Perez added he has excellent relations with Levy after Real signed both Luka Modric and Gareth Bale from Spurs in recent seasons.
He said: “We built a very good friendship. Every time we win the European Cup, he told me the same, ‘Thank you for winning the European Cup with my players’.”
As Spurs face West Ham in the Carabao Cup tonight, Juan Foyth has been challenged to show he can make his mark by snuffing out the threat of Andy Carroll.
Argentininian Foyth, 19, will make only his second appearance since joining Spurs for £10m from Estudiantes this summer.
Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino is confident Foyth can make the grade, but expects him to show he is ready to step up.
Pochettino said: “Foyth is young but needs to show why he’s here. And maybe then he has the possibility to play. Maybe in the future, if some players are suspended or we have some injuries, then we’ll play him. I remember playing when I was 17 or 18 against a massive striker – and I am smaller than Juan.
“I’d say, ‘Come on, you need to show Juan’s at Tottenham now’. He needs to fight and prove he can compete in these games.”
The Hammers clash marks Spurs’ fourth game in 11 days, with meetings with Manchester United and Real Madrid to come.
Pochettino, who will field a second-string side, has made it clear where the Carabao Cup sits in his list of priorities. He said: “Our objective is to try to win the Premier League and Champions League. For me, two real trophies. That can really change your life.
“And then the FA Cup, of course, I would like to win. I would like to win the Carabao Cup but I think it will not change the life of Tottenham.”