Sullivan says he should have sacked Bilic earlier

West Ham Chairman David Sullivan says he should have sacked Slaven Bilic earlier and that his own family gave him a hard time over his lack of indecision.

Sullivan told the Guardian “I should have got rid of him in the summer, but beating Tottenham in the last home game and beating Burnley was just enough. My family gave me such grief for not doing it. I thought he’d sorted things out.”

On transfers, he told Jacob Steinburg “Well, I’m not really the director of football, I never go to the training ground. The manager had a policy of wanting older, proven Premier League players. That gives you an old squad and players who you’ve seen the best of.”

Sullivan confirmed he takes an active role in identifying transfers but he claims he mostly signed Bilic’s targets. “I’m very involved with physically bringing in the players, I’m not involved in the strategy. The manager said he wanted Fonte from Southampton and Snodgrass from Hull. My kids begged me not to sign them.”