Zeljko Petrovic has given his first interview to WHUTV and spoken about his happiness and pride at being at West Ham United.
The assistant manager joined the club just before the new season with the aim of supporting Avram Grant and his coaching staff with his considerable experience on and off the pitch. The 44-year-old describes "football as my life" and is in no doubt that there is quality in the ranks at Chadwell Heath.
"We have a good team, we have a good squad and they are good professionals," he said. "They have a fantastic attitude but it is important for us all to believe. This club needs to survive one year and then from next year make a step forward. This is what I hear from Avram and he is right."
Petrovic also said luck had not been on the team's side in the opening fixtures but reiterated that belief was necessary to turn the corner. He had no doubt that better times would be around the corner for a club that has long loomed large in his consciousness.
"I am very happy and proud to be here at West Ham. It is a big name in Europe with a fantastic Academy. It is very famous club. It is very easy to be a coach or manager here because everyone here helps you for success and for the club.
"You can be the best coach in the world but when the kit men, or the kitchen staff are not together to form one team you don't have success. Everybody here and at the stadium is together at West Ham. We have to all help the manager to achieve his targets. I am here in my role to support the manager to achieve this."