The early growls of discontent are being heard as the Hammers prime targets fall…Benitez, Moyes, Ancelotti and now it seems Emery.
And as the odds start leaning inexorably towards Slaven Bilic becoming the club’s 15th manager, those wanting a bigger or perhaps more unexpected name, are making their voices heard. You can’t keep all the people happy all the time.
Truth is of course Jurgen Klopp would be the man and according to some reports this morning the Davids told him to name his price before he rightly decided to take time off in order to get his beloved Borussia Dortmund out of his system.
As the names continued to appear, there was no serious enthusiasm for Moyes, a tad more for Benitez, Ancelotti was never going to happen because of required surgery and Emery was always highly unlikely given Seville’s arrival in the Champions Cup.
Quite why our co chairmen should be criticised for shooting high and failing is difficult to understand. And should the mantle of management fall on ‘Slav’ – who collected more votes other than Klopp in a CandH poll and is a massive leader in the latest – then I for one will be content.
Personally, neither Benitez or Moyes did much for me and Emery is the new kid on the block – a non English speaker – who may or may not have hacked it in the PL.
Slav is a Hammer and he knows exactly where Grimsby is on Tuesday night , and what the likes of Stoke, Sunderland, Villa are all about historically and currently.
Should he decide to take the job it will also demonstrate that he’s a realist and a guy who understands what West Ham is all about in 2015 – a club with huge ambitions but still determined to live within its means by offering him a transfer budget of around £25 to £30 million.
The other candidates were demanding fortunes for the transfer market, misunderstanding the financial philosophy which has brought us from the brink of disaster to where we are now.
Bilic is a very bright and impressive man and we can forget the accusations of him being a ‘Judas’ to West Ham because although he passed a medical he was carrying an injury when sold to Everton.
After that transfer back in the 1996-97 season he played only 28 games for the Toffees and another nine with Hadjuk Split before retiring at the relatively young age of 32.
The Hammers had received a £4.5 million transfer fee so let’s hear no more of the ‘Judas’ stuff…it was business and good business.
So unless the Davids have anyone else tucked up their sleeves and I don’t believe that to be the case, we could easily see 46 year old Slav march in some time soon as our new manager.
There will be those claiming his experience is limited – so is Emery’s but the Croatian former defender was made international team manager at home and did brilliantly.
In Russia with Lokomotiv Moscow he faced many financial difficulties at boardroom level and on a transfer kitty of 12 million euros took Besiktas to decent finishes in the Turkish League improving the points tally in successive years and achieving more than in the previous five.
If it’s to be Slaven Bilic we are getting the man most fans wanted before the others emerged. Sorry, but at this stage I really don’t understand those who are starting to show their reservations.
Any manager we had appointed would come with risks and no doubt release clauses – they always do – so let’s look forward positively and optimistically.
Personally I believe Slaven Bilic has earned the chance to manage this great club. I hope I will soon be saying “Welcome Slav.”
Spot on!
Putting to one side his clear attributes, if not Slaven who?
As for the judas jibe, if he is surely is also Tony Cottee who also went to Everton in similar circumstances. I’m sure we would agree that there is no bigger West Ham fan among ex players than in Tony.
All these assholes calling him a mercenary or judas are total w*nkers.Simple fact is most dont want him as the manager they want someone else ao they wave this stick at him.Totally idiotic.I would have preferred someone elsa but it doesnt mean i am going to call him these names.If you judged players by this rule then half our team could probably be bracketed mercenaries.Most would move on for a better deal & the club accepted what at the time was a great deal for Bilic.These idiots forget.I was at his last game for us & he got a fantastic send off.Guess most these tossers dont remember that!!!
Why Judas? He isn’t the first player ever to leave West Ham & return as manager, Curbs, Sourpuss. Bilic also agreed to join Everton at turn of year but stayed until end off season to help keep us away from relegation. He said something along the lines of, he felt like owed the club & stayed because of loyalty. He could have taken the money & left straight away.
All this judas, snub, flop b#####x over every player that leaves or manager turns us down is get on my ####### nerves.
Lol,agreed essex,its bs.The geezer could have indeed naffed off but said he owed it to us to stay & try to secure our safety.This ‘judas’,’mercenary’ stuff aimed at him is pathetic 😉
i dont think hes a mercenary, or a judas persay. but i dont think that he is the “West Ham legend” that hes painted to be. Ilunga played more games, as did Boa Morte. i wouldnt consider either of those legends.
the “knows how the likes of Stoke etc…” blah blah, so does Gary Megson.
Koeman may not have been to Grimsby, but i think hes done okay, hasnt he?
i would be very happy with Bilic, 99% of the fans will get behind him and im sure that he would prove succesful – BUT- he aint the Messiah hes being dressed up as.
The difference is Bilic played for the shirt, always gave his all. Unlike other muppets who were sh*t from day one & were only here for the money. He isn’t a legend but he does deserve respect.
He may have decided to go to Everton, but let’s not forget he said to them “I won’t join up with you until after the end of the season, because I owe it to West Ham to make sure that they stay up”. He could have gone there and then but he didn’t. I for one have always had a soft spot for him and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can and will do for us.
Have not read anyone calling him a Judas on this site so I presume its are normal sad sites that won’t be happy till BFS comes back or a new manager fails,
Still hoping the board will put more money in the kitty and give the job to Biesla because he like Bilic was the other manager that wanted to come to us,
But I will be more than happy if Slaven gets the job,
If anyone should be called Judas after he left us for Everton it should be Cottee after he came down on BFS, s side last year
Yeah some geezer on wetpants was calling him judas & a mercenary lastnight.That sammerette Joehammer,total t*thead bubs.
Let it go!
I agree Slav was no legend but what I remember about him was his fantastic attitude when he wore the shirt. He gave everything and helped bring on the youngsters. I’m a big fan and wanted him from day one for those attributes alone. However, he’s not the same quality as the others we have been linked with but anyone who really felt we had a chance with those guys were very silly. Super Slav!
I’m truly worried about the club now. We’ve become joke of the premier league over the last two months and the longer Sullivan beats about the bush picking a manager the worse it’s going get. Can’t help but feel I’ve forked out all that money on a season ticket to watch us get relegated again
How long you supported West Ham? Relegation will catch up with us at some point. It always does. I just don’t think it will happen just yet! Theres a lot worse sides in the league next season than us and it don’t only take a Fat Sam to keep us out of trouble.
12-13 years now. I agree they’re are managers other than bs who can keep us up. I just don’t have any faith in Sullivan to find one of those managers.
Chelmo,
Fair play to you by disclosing your pessimism for next season before a ball has even been kicked. Also, kudos to you becoming an Iron in the past 12 – 15 seasons, funny thing is over that period of time WHUFC have been in total disarray.
So here goes, if you’re sitting comfortably I will begin.
I’ll begin with the much fabled WH way, Mr Greenwood observed the way the brilliant Hungarian national team of the Fifties completely destroyed England scoring five times at Wembley, up until then England ruled the roost, we were so full of ourselves we didn’t even acknowledge FIFA and the World Cup back then.
I digress, the Hungarian’s played a possession brand of football alien to us and Mr Greenwood was inspired, he set about assembling his disciples and drilled them to be brave in possession, play through the thirds, form partnerships when on the ball, play the way you’re facing, look for the third man running in the shape of a triangle.
Now, this way is an era when most teams, especially Northern clubs played a very robust and aggressive game. When our game plan came off it was quite simply breathtaking.
Amongst Mr Greenwoods disciples were non other than John Bond, Malcolm Allison,
Harry Redknapp, Billy Bonds, Trevor Brooking this list is not exhaustive.
All of the above named have had Stella careers both as players and Managers, some not as successful as they would have liked (BB).
The WH way, was very much alive under Redknapp, say what you will about him personally, but boy did his teams entertain us (note).
During HR tenure year on year our squad got stronger and more dynamic, astute signings and duff ones ( Radiciou and Futre, Dumitrescu), but acquired with playing a passing game nonetheless, in seasons 97- 2001, from memory we always finished top ten, showing rear lights to Spuds, Chelski and the likes.
When you arrived on the scene, the transfer window was just introduced to World football,
Our then Chairman the odious Mr Brown did not sanction an additional striker, we started that fateful season with Paulo Dicanio, Freddy Kanoute and well nobody else,
As Paul Kitson was always injured (sound familiar), but we had a lad in the Academy, my deceased mates son, Jermaine Defoe!
Well, within a dozen, or so games, both of main strikers joined Kitson on the injury list.
Mr Roeder, the coach, promoted to Manager (cheapskate Brown), played respect the point football, keep it tight at the back lads, we’ll nick one the break. The previous season he had led us to 7/9th, but we were really lucky, having suffered humiliation losing by more than five goals on several outings. Having said all this, his biggest failure was his central defensive signings, we were awesome going forward, but could not defend ( kind of ironic if you know Roeder history).
Anyway, we get relegated, with over 35% of the England team in our squad, quite unbelievable really, we were a better footballing team than say Saints and Swansea today under HR and within 15 months of his mysterious departure we’re playing in the Fizzy Pop
League.
In summary, here are the profiles of the managers since HR.
Pardew (progressive)
Curbishley ( pragmatic)
Zola (progressive)
Grant (fill in the blank, )
Allardyce (pragmatic )
Now, the last five managers have had the worst foundations to start working from, in terms of inherited personell, financial instability, Curbishley the exception as he spunked circa 35 large on,in the main dross apart from Parker and Bellamy.
West Ham have never got back to a link between Greenwood/ Lyall since HR left,
Again I have to dig out Curbs and Day, as they served up tepid, respect the point football too.
Now, if we are to have Bilic as our next manager, he saw what HR was trying to put in place, he was a part of stabilising us a PL club back then, my goodness we’ve come a long way since Chapman and Morley up top.
But he is a genuine link back to the Disciples of Greenwood.
Make no mistake Chelmo, he knows what WHUFC stands for it certainly is not worrying about the the drop, we stand and front up, we don’t run and when we’re on top in a game,
We take the ****!
Chelmo, under Gollivan, the tide is turning, we are again assembling a better quality of player, the signs are we gonna push on again. When we go Olympic the money will be pouring, the East Side will be roaring, when the Hammers are scoring, for West Ham and the Claret & Blue.
Here endeth this walk through the past 15 years, looking forward to the next 15 with massive excitement.
Well said DJ,good read.You should get your agent to get a publishing deal put in place 😉
Cheers Tyson, feels kind of nice to get that off my chest.
Thanks DJ, I’ve learned something more about West Ham. I’m not joking 😉
Matte, you have made this sit the go to place for me!
Love your banter mate!
Ahah… Thanks, too kind… 😉
DJ. Sound like we are cut from the same cloth mate. Best comment I’ve read all year. Great job mate
H4 Life,
I was born in Queen Mary’s hospital West Ham Lane, Stratford.
On my birth cert is shows County Borough of West Ham, Essex.
Yes Bazza Hearns, Stratford is West Ham, West Ham is Stratford, we’re going home, we’re going home, we’re going, West Ham’s going home.
Btw I was coached by Keith Coleman, he played wing back in the ECWC final v Anderlecht whilst in high school. I also played for Fairburn House boys club, coached by Clive Charles. Yes, I can confirm that there is defo a West Ham way!
Yes. Very similar. I wasn’t as good a player as you obviously but born in Forest Gate in 61 and we have the same outlook on all things West Ham for sure.
H4 life makes perfect sense born in the same year, on exactly the same manor.
Your username is undeniable authentic.
It is a way of life!
i dont agree that Sullivan shouldnt beat around the bush. this is potentially the biggest period in our history, and picking the RIGHT manager to oversee it is crucial, not just picking whoever is the easiest/seems most eager for it.
Like i said, i think Slav will do well, BUT, it wouldnt be right to jump straight into bed with him and run the risk of missing out on the likes of Klopp/Ancelloti/Emery.
lets not all forget that Sam was manager still, less than 2 weeks ago and if it wasnt for a freakish approach from Real Madrid, we’d have Benitez.
We were born the same year, you go to Forest Gate High?
I don’t think I’ve ever heard the Judas jibe about him, but added to what Hugh said, the money we got for him bought Hartson Kitson and Lomas ( well ), so it was probably necessary at the time.
I am happy to have reservations about him because he doesn’t have much to show for 15 years of management. His football is not very sophisticated, playing from a solid defensive plan and counter-attacking. That means if we get a few losses early on, he will get slaughtered by the noisy minority of our supporters.
On the good side he has worked in some of the most hostile and difficult leagues in the world, so it should be a relief for him to come to England. He should also have a decent squad to work with ( possibley the best his had )
I will support him 100% with some hope, and he could turn out to be a surprise pachage.
youre bang on sleeps. Took Locomotiv Moscow to lowest ever league finish. did okay with Croatia, but that squad had the likes of Modric, Mandzukic, Srna, Kovac, Olic – world class players. he’s finished 3rd in Turkey, in a 3 horse race. he beat Spurs & Liverpool in Europa, but Sam beat Liverpool and very nearly Tottenham, and they were first team squads, not weakened E.L suqads.
as i said and like 99% of you – i’ll support him if its him, but it would be wrong to rush this decision.
You would have heard or seen it yesterday on another site Dafishes,just some fools being morons basically,lol,boys will be boys 😀
You have given up before the summer is over. In what way have we become a joke?
we were sh*t since xmas, ask any off these experts who bleat on about “be careful what you wish for” would they have wanted to keep the manager of their club if they had the same run. I think 100% of them would say “get rid, need a change, he has taken club as far as he can”..etc etc.
would you have wanted the first person to show interest be given the job..?
i know when i employ a new member of staff I hold a series of interviews so I get the right person.
Amen Essex. if we signed every one based on eagerness to join, id be playing up top next to Carlton Cole next season.
Yes, the process is taking a while. but believe me, itd be better to have the right manager in place a little late, than to have the wrong man in place immediately.
I still believe we’ll get Emery, but that may be down to the big bowl of crack & valium i had for breakfast – happy friday!
Ffs,i wouldnt blame the guy if he didnt come to us reading all this b*ll**** on sites.Everyone is suddenly a f*cking expert on Bilesa,Bilic,Emery.You & me basically know squat about them.Bilics time in Moscow.How the f*ck do we know his working conditions,board he was under,strength of his squad.Ffs i give up!!!
Haha,now you know why i gave up on managerial position posts,lol,i will just sit back see who we get.Cant be bothered to go round in circles discussing what in the main is media driven horsesh*t 😀
I’ve never used these words yet, but I am going to now “be careful what you wish for” . Hiring a new manager is a lot more than change for the sake of it, which is what people were calling for. It’s more about don’t change the manager until you have better options waiting to come in. Although Bilic is not necessarily that, he must be supported better than Sam was.
I am though satisfied by the work of the chairmenm it was always going to be this difficult.
Are you saying we should have stuck with the same manager? What do you think might have happened if we did for next season?
I’m saying whats the use of getting a worse one. Of course if we did keep Sam, the camp would have remained split, but we would have had some stability which we have none of now, so it’s a trad off.
Anyway we have let him go, so that’s why I’m discussing new managers.
Slaven Bilic’s Claret & Blue Army
Don’t know what all the panic is about,yes we were dreaming and why not about the big names,but there are still good names out there,when did we last have a Manager with international experience,European experience,knowledge of our club and want the job ?
The main thing I want the board to do is get over to the new manager is that we want good
Entertaining adventurous football, with that should come enough points to keep the faint hearted happy and sound in their beds,
If we have to fight for survival so be it but let’s have some exciting times in our last season at our much loved ground
ahah… Someone in my confidence is cheating on me… mmmh…the man got to be got, his name is Slaven Bilic, aka Judas, he broke the law and betrayed his Family… I just want him dead in the next 48 hours… lol
Don Matte
Haha Don Matte,I think we’re safe it’s Jesus Navas he’s come to get
ahahah… lol 😀
Agreed with everything here and once again it shows this site is the best. A lot of those calling him a Judas were probably too young to remember the circumstances of his departure. He gave his all in a West Ham shirt and moved on to Everton with class. The blog said it all. Let’s get behind him and reunite. There has been too much bad blood between fans for too long. COYI
People who call him a judas or mercenary are either full of sh*t or never watched the guy.Yes he only played 48 matches for us but he had more commitment & desire towards the relegation cause than most players who have played hundreds of games for us.He was immense for us that season,left everything & more on the pitch for us that year.He was loved by we fans(those who actually saw him,not just bad mouth him 20yrs on).No he isnt a West Ham ‘legend’ but i would take another 2 or 3 of him in our team now everyday of the week.
Well said ’66.Spot on 😉
Just to confirm “some” of whats been said….
I think Slaven Bilic is the only one out there that wants the job.
Thankfully he has some WHU positive previous experience which is crucial.
Its crucial we get behind him cos there’s nobody else realistically at this stage.
The product under Sam was “dire” there’s no other way to look at it.
Our fingers are crossed as tightly as our Chairman’s
COYI
(all the way from Apollo Bay Australia)
Lol,Go to bed Alan,its late.We will keep an eye on things for you 😀
Thanks Tyson
thats good advice!. just for the record I was at Upton Park for just about every home match from 1975 to 2000. I started there with my father when Moore Peters and Hurst were doing the business from 1966 onwards (started at 7 years old travelling in from Chelmsford )
I saw the Villa game (0-0) at home last season and the Wigan one the season before.
Trust me…as you probably know that wasn’t football.
Apart from sacking Zola for Grant ( a bit kneejerk) Davids have saved us and we owe them big time. They are doing their utmost and paying for it.!
Goodnight and fingers cossed as always
COYI
Alan
Bilic wasn’t my first choice but since my first choices don’t want to work within our framwork, Bilic is the best of what’s left available.
They should just hire him and be done with it so we can relax and watch the transfer market instead.
Looks like we need to get a deal done with Bilic now,In Spain it’s now confirmed Emery is staying at Seville on his terms,
Biesla is staying as well,so we need to get the job done,
‘Quite why our co chairmen should be criticised for shooting high and failing is difficult to understand.’ The reason Hughie is that a lot of our fans will not grasp the reality that we are a small premiership team who have spent most years fighting a relegation battle. They think that we are a big club and when ‘names’ don’t join us, be it players or managers, the chairmen are an easy target. I’m surrounded by the mouthy baskets where my season ticket seat is. Terrible fans.
I meant to add – Bilic will do…. until a bigger club come calling.
Hope you get a better seat at the new stadium oldgit,
Your right we are a small team hoping to grow bigger,but the problem is football is all about money now if you want to be at the top table,and do we want to be a club like that and do we want to be fans at a club like that ?