Will Bilic strike a chord with the Hammers?
Take that Nigel Farage. Eastern Europeans are welcome. Yes, West Ham’s smut merchants spurned Carlo Ancelotti, Unai Emery, Rafa Benitez, and Marcelo Bielsa to lure Slaven Bilic, the Croatian, to Upton Park. Bilic’s last assignment was Besiktas maintaining their status quo third position in the Turkish league last season. He was less successful in the Russian Premier League guiding Lokomotiv Moscow to their worst finish. He was also Croatia’s coach for seven years with the Croats famously denying England a place in Euro2008 with their 3-2 win at Wembley. Bilic cut an ecstatic figure in the sidelines windmilling his arms in celebration.
Bilic returns to the Hammers having made 56 appearances as centre back playing alongside Frank Lampard and John Hartson when he joined them in 1996 from Karlsruher FC. He also gained some notoriety for being the guitarist for rock groups Newera and Rawbau. He’s all things considered a cult of personality, motivational, and media savvy. But his lack of tactical nous is already causing fans to fret. Bilic also has to oversee the Hammers maiden campaign to the Europa Cup. Under Sam Allardyce, the club could not hold onto their promising start sliding to 12th in the league. A 0-4 smashing at the hands of West Brom in the 5th round of the FA Cup did not help.
Getting past the first qualifying round of the Europa will be a huge test. Then his survival measured in progress thereafter. A top ten league finish might be just enough but entry into the semi-finals of the FA or the League Cup could also prove beneficial.