Bilic cools Hammers link
04 Sep 2008 - 08:23:31
Croatia coach Slaven Bilic has distanced himself from the vacant managerial position at West Ham United.
Bilic, 39, has emerged as the favourite to succeed Alan Curbishley in the Upton Park hot-seat after he ended his two-year tenure on Wednesday citing a lack of control of the club's transfer plans.
But Bilic, who spent one season with the club during his playing career, is reported to be the number one target for the Hammers board.
The former international defender is regarded as one of the brightest managerial talents in Europe after masterminding Croatia's transformation from the ashes of World Cup disappointment two years ago to reaching the quarter-finals at Euro 2008.
However, Bilic has cooled speculation of an impending move to the Premier League after suggesting he remains focused on Croatia's qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup.
Croatia face England in a crunch Group Six qualifier in Zagreb next week.
"It is true I get calls from England all the time, just like before," he is quoted as saying.
"But I can't say anything about West Ham United.
"Now that the game with England is getting closer, they will write more about me coming there.
"I signed a new contract to coach Croatia and that's all I can say.
"I will continue my job as national team coach until end of World Cup 2010."
Meanwhile another former Hammers player, Paolo Di Canio, has welcomed reports that he is also on he shortlist for the manager's job at Upton Park.
"One day I would love to be manager of West Ham," said the Italian.
"One day it is my dream and I hope to come back to London and sit on the bench at West Ham."