Slaven Bilic confirmed as West Ham manager: Former Hammer delighted to return to 'cult club'

The Croatian made 54 appearances for the Hammers between 1996-97

Slaven Bilic on the touchline for Besiktas last season (GETTY IMAGES)

Slaven Bilic has been confirmed as new West Ham manager, replacing Sam Allardyce.

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

Allardyce left the club by mutual consent on the final day of the season last month. The Hammers had made a promising start to the campaign, but finished 12th after a poor second half.

Bilic, who parted company with Besiktas at the end of last season, 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.

"I'm really glad to be back with West Ham United," Bilic said. "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.

"I remember West Ham as a special club. I love these kinds of special clubs. My last club, Besiktas, was that kind of club. It’s not about the size – West Ham is big club – there is something special about them - they are a cult clubs.

Bilic made 54 appearances for West Ham from 1996-97 (GETTY IMAGES)

"It is a great place to play and I felt like I was at home. It is a big privilege and a big responsibility to now be manager and I hope that I will prove it to the Board, players and fans.

"My first priority when choosing a club is to look at its ambitions. When I spoke to the Chairmen and Karren Brady, they made clear that it is not only the fantastic new Stadium we are moving into, but they showed their determination and ambition to make what is a big club even bigger."