European football journalist Graham Hunter has produced a rare treat for West Ham United fans wanting to know more about manager Slaven Bilic.
Hunter, who made his name giving an insight on Spanish football for Sky Sports, is now a successful broadcaster, author and podcaster.
The Scot travelled to West Ham’s pre-season training camp in Germany, where he spent two full hours interviewing Bilic about his life and times, gaining a fascinating insight into the character, motivations and ambitions of the Hammers boss.
In part one, which is available to listen to now – for free – on Hunter’s website here or to download from iTunes or aCast here, Bilic discusses his early career in war-torn Croatia and his successful playing and management career with his young nation.
I am sure this interview will leave Hammers fans loving their manager even more than they already do
Graham Hunter
“This is part one of an interview with Slaven Bilic, recorded on West Ham’s pre-season training camp in northern Germany,” Hunter explained.
“This becomes a good news/bad news story for outright Hammers fans. Bad news first – I apologise for the lack of chat about your club and the extraordinary transfer window that you’ve had. “It’s because we talked and talked and talked about other things but at the end, you’ll hear the promise we make to come back in November and talk in-depth about West Ham and his time as a player and time as a manager.
“The good news? I am sure this interview will leave Hammers fans loving their manager even more than they already do – and will also, I’m sure, for everyone else this is a rare treat because of Slaven, not me.
“This is the Bilic of Croatia, the centre-back of the team we all fell in love with at in Euro 96 and the team which could have won it all at the World Cup two years later. From Boban and Suker, to Boksic and Prosinecki, you’re going to hear about them in microscopic, colourful detail.
“Slaven Bilic was truly fantastic company over the course of two hours in a wine cellar in Rotenburg, Germany and this is vintage is one of the most passionate and insightful guests we’ve had on The Big Interview. Cheers!”