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Rio reflects on his Irons days with ‘brilliant’ Bilic

riofRio Ferdinand has paid a huge tribute to former team-mate, Slaven Bilic.

The recently retired central defender, who learned his trade at Upton Park before multi-million pound switches to Leeds United and Manchester United, has revealed the new Irons boss had a huge impact on his early development.

Speaking in the match day programme for tomorrow’s game against Bournemouth – via www.whufc.com – Ferdinand said: “Slaven was brilliant for me as a young player.

“I have always had a good relationship with him and we have stayed in contact regularly since the days that we played together, all through his time as Croatia manager and with clubs in Russia and Turkey.

“As a player, had he not had the hip injury, I believe he could have gone to play for one of Europe’s top clubs – he was that good. As a teammate, he was really nice too, helping me and the other young players to develop.”

 

About Hugh5outhon1895

Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!" Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon

3 comments on “Rio reflects on his Irons days with ‘brilliant’ Bilic

  1. You’d be welcome on the coaching staff Rio. I’m sure slaven has told you that.

  2. When Rio is ready and his life has settled down I am sure the door will be opened for him,
    I would love to see him start with the Kids first because he has so much to offer and at the moment he would have there respect because of their knowledge of him,
    Then one day move up to be our future manager,
    Welcome any day Rio

  3. Bandwagon…

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