DG: Slaven has something special with the fans
For amongst the various reasons why the club finally decided to shake hands with the former manager and appoint another was the disharmony which had split the club into two camps.
Every manager has to be judged first and foremost on what happens on the pitch of course but the two Davids have always placed huge value on their manager’s attitude towards the media and fans.
David Gold – talking exclusively to ClaretandHugh – said: “There’s barely a match goes by when Slaven doesn’t mention the fans – yesterday he spoke of how important it was that the fans went home happy from their own stadium.
“He has a rapport with them. They know he has the same feeling for this club as they do and that makes a fantastic difference. It was the one big box he ticked when we decided to appoint him.
“”You can look at a managerial CV and it can tell you everything about the man’s career but it can’t tell you what’s in his heart -the level of passion.
“When we interviewed Slaven it was obvious his heart for the club was immense and now the fans are seeing it and it’s a hugely important factor in things both now and in the future.
“Everything comes from him through the media to the fans and the reason he hasn’t put a foot wrong in that area is because he can’t. He’s a Hammer – he walks it and talks it and it’s great.”