Slaven Bilic has been confirmed as the new manager of West Ham. The Croat spent 18 months with the club as a player and last month left his role as Besiktas coach after they finished third in the Turkish top flight. The 46-year-old has also coached Hajduk Split, Croatia and Lokomotiv Moscow. Bilic will become the 15th full-time manager in the West Ham’s 120-year history, subject to a work permit being granted. “He becomes the second Croatian to manage in the Barclays Premier League, and has an outstanding career win percentage of 55.16%,” read a club statement. “A law graduate and multilinguist who takes a meticulous approach to management, the new boss will arrive in London later this month following a family holiday, but has already begun preparations for West Ham’s maiden UEFA Europa League campaign.” “I’m really glad to be back with West Ham United,” said Bilic, who succeeds Sam Allardyce. “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. It’s not about the size – West Ham is big club – there is something special about them – they are a cult club.” “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.”