Bilic 'not going anywhere'

Croatia boss rules himself out of Hammers and Magpies running

By James Dall   Last updated: 8th September 2008

slaven bilic croatia

Bilic: Committed to Croatia

West Ham is my club, I have feelings for them but I won't go. And I won't go to Newcastle.

Slaven Bilic
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Croatia boss Slaven Bilic has ruled himself out of taking either of the vacant managerial posts at West Ham United or Newcastle United.

Former Hammers defender Bilic has been strongly linked with the position at Upton Park following Alan Curbishley's resignation last week.

West Ham confirmed on Sunday the club now have a four-man shortlist which includes Bilic, Gianfranco Zola, Roberto Donadoni and Michael Laudrup.

Non-executive director Mike Lee, though, confirmed Bilic is unlikely to be handed the role due to his current commitments with Croatia.

Newcastle, meanwhile, are on the hunt for a new boss after Kevin Keegan parted company with the club, and reports in Monday's press have linked Bilic with the post.

Money

However, the 39-year-old coach has explained that he is not interested in leaving Croatia for a position in the Premier League at the present moment in time.

Bilic told The Sun: "I'm not going anywhere. Any club from England is a great opportunity.

"Not for money, honestly, for me it's about ambition. It's about working in England, a country you know I adore.

"But it's like, no. West Ham is my club, I have feelings for them but I won't go. And I won't go to Newcastle.

"This job is so uncertain. Look at Kevin Keegan or Alan Curbishley. It's only three games into the season and I'm supposed to have offers from England.

Many offers

"My wish is to stay another two years here but, if I lose a couple of games and they say 'off you go' then maybe I will go.

"But my answer is clear. No, I wouldn't go as things stand. I had many offers in the period between our win at Wembley last November until I signed a new deal in May.

"I decided to stay. Whether that's good for me only God knows."