Tuesday 9 June 2015 23:49, UK
Slaven Bilic has been appointed as the new manager of West Ham on a three-year contract to replace Sam Allardyce.
The 46-year-old Croat, who becomes the 15th full-time manager in the club's 120-year history, joins the Hammers having left his previous job as head coach of Besiktas at the end of the season.
And later on Tuesday the Hammers announced that they would confirm their first summer signing "in the next 24 hours."
Bilic has an affinity with West Ham supporters having played over 50 times for the club during the 1996-97 season, and had maintained a strong desire to manage in the Premier League.
"I’m really glad to be back with West Ham United,” Bilic said. "It’s in the Premier League, which is among the best in the world. It’s a big challenge and you are competing with the best and what better club to do it with than West Ham.
I would say to the West Ham fans that I will give my best and together we will achieve great things
"I remember West Ham as a special club. I love these kinds of special clubs. My last club, Besiktas, was that kind of club. It’s not about the size – West Ham is big club – there is something special about them - they are a cult clubs.
"It is a great place to play and I felt like I was at home. It is a big privilege and a big responsibility to now be manager and I hope that I will prove it to the board, players and fans. My first priority when choosing a club is to look at its ambitions.
'Determination'
"When I spoke to the chairmen and Karren Brady, they made clear that it is not only the fantastic new stadium we are moving into, but they showed their determination and ambition to make what is a big club even bigger.
"I saw their determination and passion that they want to do that. That was the number one reason. I could feel that they really wanted me so it was an easy choice. I would say to the West Ham fans that I will give my best and together we will achieve great things.”
The club had narrowed their search to two candidates over the weekend - Bilic and the Marseille manager Marcelo Bielsa - after failing with audacious swoops for Rafa Benitez and Carlo Ancelotti.
A key priority for Bilic will be ensuring the Londoners kick off the 2016-17 campaign as a Premier League club when they begin life in their new home at the Olympic Stadium.
David Sullivan, the club's joint-chairman, said West Ham should be aiming for a top-eight finish and a strong cup performance in the new season, as stage one of "a three-year project".
He added on the club's website: "It is very good for the club and the supporters. We have taken a man who understands the West Ham Way. It is important how we play and that the players play with passion.
"I think he will bring a few of the West Ham legends to be part of his entourage and I think that is very good because it strengthens the bond with the supporters. He will take us into the Olympic Stadium and I think he will be here for a long time.
"We have appointed a manager that we know the supporters wanted."
