Where Did It All Go Wrong? Slav And Sullivan Tell Their Side Of It

The West Ham chairman and former manager speak out about Bilic’s sacking

- Lucy Woolford

Former Hammers boss Slaven Bilic and current West Ham Co-Chairman David Sullivan have very different personalities.

Their relationship be came strained towards the end of the Bilic’s time in charge of the team with Sullivan seemingly undermining Bilic’s decision making, training methods and transfers.

Both have recently given candid interviews and have discussed matters at West Ham on and off the field. David Sullivan spoke to Jacob Steinberg for The Guardian, whilst Slaven Bilic gave his opinions to Joe Bernstein for the Daily Mail.

How do their characters compare and contrast? Let’s take a look.

How do the two compare when it comes to work ethic?

Slaven Bilic: ‘You can’t achieve what I have without an inner strength. I had to fight for everything to come from a small country and become a recognised player in the Premier League — and then do the same as a manager.’

David Sullivan: ‘I feel like I haven’t done well enough. Nobody’s done well enough. I work my socks off but sometimes it’s not good enough.’

What about honesty, is it the best policy?

SB: ‘Some managers are better at pretending. Maybe it is better for my job to not say what happened on the pitch. But at the end of the day you can’t be something you’re not. If we were s***, I would say. And I always took responsibility.’

DS: ‘I think we’re the most honest, open people you’ll ever deal with.’

West Ham has ambitions to be a top six club, especially since moving to London Stadium. How does each see that going?