Guest Post by Russ
There is no doubt that Slaven Bilic has transformed West Ham from a club that had totally lost its soul and identity to a club that is truly reborn and United.
Both on and off the pitch the difference he has made in just 12 months is staggering. Every press conference is a joy to watch, honest and charming, the football played on the pitch is, well, played on the pitch and at times spellbinding. Because of it being our last season at the Boleyn the media and TV coverage was huge, the spotlight was well and truly on us and we have responded to that by playing the best football seen at our home in 20 years and a record breaking season in many ways. The owners really couldn’t have dreamed it would all go so well and that is all down to one man, Slaven Bilic.
Yes the owners buy the players, yes the players have to perform on the pitch but the team is crafted and plays in the style the manager dictates. Slaven’s approach has been positive from day one, fielding as many attacking players as possible and making positive substitutions whether winning or losing. He drives the team forward for 90 mins never taking a backward step, never a negative thought in his mind and the team respond, giving everything they have and leaving everything on the pitch. Slaven’s passion comes through and the players and fans respond, for me he is the perfect manager for my club and I hope he is with us for many years.
However, one question remains. Is he the man to bring us trophies or titles?
Looking back through his history as a player and manager he has won nothing. He is the nearly man in both aspects, getting to semi finals as a player, running close to winning the league as manager but he has never gotten over the line. Last season was fantastic for the fans and the club but with 3 games to go we had a genuine shot at a top 4 finish and a place in the Champions league. Swansea at home, Manchester United at home and Stoke away with what was at stake should have been our road to glory, we beat Manchester United the toughest game of the 3 in what is one of the best and most emotional games I have ever witnessed and the other 2 should have been won but were not. What a difference that would have made in our development, the obvious riches on offer, the players that we could have signed, the exposure around the world, it would have been huge. It could take years to get into such a good position again.
Managers tend to be categorised as the ones that can keep you up like Sam or Tony Pulis, the run of the mill managers that will keep you mid table, playing nice football and the managers that are winners like Jose Mourinho, Alex Ferguson, Rafa Benitez.
Can Slaven take us to the next level and make us winners or is he just a stepping stone and our next manager will make the final transformation. Obviously how much he has to spend and the players brought in will be a factor but ultimately its down to the manager.