Slaven Bilic has confirmed he spoke the West Ham owner David Sullivan but insisted he was his normal Monday post-match phone call.
The West Ham manager told the press “Every time after the game I have a conversation with the chairman and as always, he has been very supportive, backing the team, backing me but we talked about situations and I didn’t need the chairman to tell me the situation we are in, he knows that I know.
As I said it was no different than any others apart from, it’s not like a monologue, we spoke about the situation and we agreed that we have to get points very very soon.”
On speculation on losing his job he added: “I am very realistic. If you ask me, in theory you know what’s happening around you, like Koeman, there are always maybe three, four, five managers that are n this position and I am definitely one of them. Does it make me lose my focus, will or whatever? No.
“To be far, it gives you even more. I never gave up in my career, no matter which way of life, as a player, as a parent as a friend or manager, to be fair it is my biggest strength to be strong in hard times. Now I am facing a hard time, yes I am, but that doesn’t scare me.
If nothing else, you have to admire Bilic’s honesty!
Nearly everyone likes Bilic, when you listen to him everything he says rings true, trouble is the players don’t do what he wants on a match day, he hasn’t found a way for them to do that, I think the vast majority of fans know that a change is required, his position should have been untenable last season and certainly it should have been this season already, apparently Tuchel hasn’t ruled himself out of the Everton job, whatever that means, if Tuchel is available he should be talked too about our job along with any other top prospects.
I don’t see any of the top managers being willing to join us at this point in time. They can see our squad needs work to be done in mid-season. Who would take that risk? They might look at Benitez and think the same could happen to them.
Our squad now contains players who have let down the manager, the team the club and the fans. 3 or 4 have to go.
I also think it’s probable that the board and Bilic agree his time is up, and if they can get a new coach ( at least temp ), then he is ready to walk. Until then they amicably agree to continue. His agent is also looking for his next job, I would think. Just opinion.