Sunday 5 November 2017 07:49, UK
Slaven Bilic vowed to fight on as West Ham manager after a 4-1 defeat to Liverpool, saying he has "belief" in himself and his players.
The Hammers have only won twice in the Premier League this season and have now conceded more goals than any side in the division.
Bilic's position as West Ham manager is under review and a final decision on his future will be made early next week, Sky sources understand.
The Croats' job had reportedly been under threat before West Ham beat Tottenham in the Carabao Cup on October 25, and this latest defeat creates more questions heading into the international break.
But Bilic said: "Of course I believe in myself, in my staff and in my team and their character and everything.
"I came so far from a small country first as a player then as a manager, so it's not about that. I am a big fighter. I definitely don't feel a broken man. I am very, very strong. On the other hand, the situation for West Ham is not good and as I said two years ago, one year ago, and now, the club is about every individual and that includes me."
Asked what makes him think he can turn things around, Bilic said: "All my previous work and my dedication.
"It's hard for me to talk now about myself. I'm not doing a job interview, I know that. I never like to talk about myself like I'm dead, I will never do it. I know my values. If I'm anything, I'm a strong man and I am a big believer in myself.
"I am the one who is taking the bullets all the time when I have to and when I don't have to. So it is out of the question how strong a character I am. I believe in myself, I believe in my work, I believe in my staff and I believe in my players. Otherwise, I wouldn't have come so far from a small country."
The Hammers were largely lacklustre against Liverpool at the London Stadium, except for a short spell in the second half when Manuel Lanzini pulled a goal back for 2-1.
But Liverpool, who had scored twice in three minutes in the first half, replied quickly to restore their two-goal lead before scoring a fourth to make sure of victory.
"We conceded a couple of goals which had nothing to do with the game plan and the preparation about how we were going to stop them," said Bilic.
"We had to change the shape because we wanted to turn the game around. We wanted to be more dangerous up front. And it worked. That change left us a bit more open in the middle of the park
"The third goal was very naïve because we needed just a few moments of calmness and then to start to build on that because there was a long time to go. But when you concede the third goal it's a killer."
