West Ham chiefs make emphatic decision about Bilic – Sky
By Matt Farr
West Ham have backed Slaven Bilic to stay on as manager and have no plans to wield the axe, according to a report.
Sky Sports claim the Hammers have confidence in the under-fire Croatian and they believe him to be the right man for the job despite a run of wretched results.
The pressure has grown on Bilic, whose side have made a miserable start to the Premier League season in which they have won just three of their 14 games, including a humiliating 5-1 defeat at the hands of Arsenal on Saturday just days after crashing out of EFL Cup.
To make matters worse, the Hammers could drop into the relegation zone if Hull beat Middlesbrough on Monday.
Recent displays from West Ham have shown a side devoid of confidence, and their failure to defend as a collective unit has seen them concede nine goals in their last two games.
With premier goalscorers Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho sidelined for much of the season, West Ham have also been severely lacking in front of goal.
Summer additions Jonathan Calleri and Simone Zaza have been woeful in their absence, while last season’s star man Dimitri Payet has also faltered. But it has been the manager that has been the main focus of all the criticism.
Speculation has continued to mount over Bilic’s role at the club during the last week-and-a-half, with many fans calling for a change of personnel, before they slip further into their relegation battle.
However, the east London club have handed the former Croatia national team boss their full support.
Bilic will be hoping to repay the faith shown in him by the board when West Ham face-off against Liverpool on Sunday, before a run of must-win games against Burnley, Hull and Swansea ahead of the new year.
In other West Ham news, this Hammers play is key to their survival bid – and he doesn’t play for France.