A decade on and Bilic shows he

West Ham boss led Croatia to a win over England which forced Steve McClaren’s exit. Last night he earned a stay of execution after cup fightback

TEN years ago next month, Slaven Bilic watched from a few yards away in the Wembley dug-out as opposite number Steve McClaren signalled the end of his career as England coach by sheltering under a brolly.

Croatia, coached by Bilic, went on to win that match 3-2, England failed to qualify for the 2008 Euros and McClaren was sacked the following morning.

At half-time last night, standing on that same touchline, Bilic could have been wondering whether a similar fate was awaiting him, after seeing his West Ham team concede two goals in the first half of their Carabao Cup fourthround tie against Tottenham.

Bilic must have experienced the same feeling of dread as McClaren, who went on to be labelled the wally with the brolly, following his team’s timid firsthalf display.

The 3-0 home defeat by Brighton last Friday had crossed a line and Bilic had two games to save his job — last night’s cup tie followed by another London derby on Saturday, at Crystal Palace.

Bilic tried to rally his team at halftime, tweak a thing or two, but confidence was as low as a snake’s belly.

Then, a few minutes into the second half, West Ham skipper Mark Noble, who had challenged his team-mates to “wear the shirt with pride” before this game, sparked his team into life after a bit of handbags with Danny Rose.

Noble was upset because Spurs had not given him the ball in the manner he deemed correct after the game had been stopped because of an injury to Heung-Min Son.

Just 15 minutes after that, West Ham had not only clawed their way back into a game but were leading 3-2 with two goals from Andre Ayew and one from Angelo Ogbonna.

It was enough — just — to put West Ham into the quarter finals of the League Cup for the second successive year but, more importantly, it was undeniable proof that Bilic’s team are still firmly playing for him.

It may yet be only a stay of execution for Bilic but the character his team showed in the second half last night should surely hold them in good stead for what is bound to be another nervous afternoon on Saturday.

Last night’s unlikely victory also gives The draw for the last eight of the Carabao Cup was taking place at 4pm today on Twitter. Latest reaction at

the West Ham manager, who made nine changes last night, what he describes as a “positive headache” as he contemplates his team for the Palace match. Ayew’s goals make him a certain starter, while others who played last night, such as central defender Ogbonna, midfielder Edimilson Fernandes and goalkeeper Adrian must also be in the frame.

“A win like this gives you energy and freshness,” said Bilic. “When we are in for training, nobody will feel tired.

“The first-half score was bad. Our crossing and movement was bad but