Bilic takes Hammers job

Slaven Bilic is the new manager of West Ham.

The 46-year-old former Croatia boss has been confirmed as successor to Sam Allardyce, whose contract was not renewed.

Bilic, who had an 18-month spell playing for the Hammers from January 1996, has signed a three-year deal.

A statement on whufc.com read: "West Ham United are delighted to announce the appointment of Slaven Bilic as the club's new manager.''

Co-chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold had been looking for the right man to take them forwards and on into the Olympic Stadium from 2016/17 and now they believe they have found him.

Bilic was reported to have been interviewed about the vacancy last weekend, with the likes of Rafael Benitez, Jurgen Klopp, Carlo Ancelotti, Marcelo Bielsa, Michael Laudrup and Unai Emery all said to have been under consideration.

Bilic said: “I’m really glad to be back with West Ham United.

“It’s in the Premier League, which is among the best in the world. It’s a big challenge and you are competing with the best and what better club to do it with than West Ham.”

Allardyce’s departure after four years as boss was announced minutes after the season-concluding loss at Newcastle.

The Hammers made a promising start to the campaign, but finished 12th after a poor second half.

They did, though, qualify for the Europa League via the Fair Play standings, with their continental competition to begin on July 2.